Cardiovascular Services
The body's cardiovascular, or circulatory system, is made of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries and veins). Cardiovascular medicine (also known as cardiology) refers to the branch of health care that specializes in the treatment of diseases or conditions dealing with the heart and vascular systems.
Common Cardiovascular Disorders
Common cardiovascular disorders treated at San Diego County Cardiology include the following:
- Aortic aneurysm (abdominal or thoracic)
- Congenital heart defects
- Coronary artery disease, including angina and heart attack myocardial infarction
- Heart failure
- Heart valve problems
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Stroke
- Syncope
In-Office Diagnostic Procedures
Imaging tests may be done to diagnose, monitor or treat diseases of the cardiovascular system. In-office diagnostic procedures performed by San Diego County Cardiology include the following procedures.
Echocardiogram
Echocardiogram (or ultrasound of the heart) is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart, heart valve and heart function.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiogram (ECG) measures electrical signals in the heart to show if the heart is beating at a normal rate and strength and to help show the size and position of the heart's chambers.
Stress Tests
Stress tests help to determine how well the heart handles physical activity. Stress test can be performed as exercise treadmill test, exercise stress echocardiogram, treadmill nuclear stress test, and lexiscan cardiolite nuclear stress test. In nuclear stress test, a radiotracer (also called a radiopharmaceutical) will be used to determine the ability of the coronary arteries to pass blood flow to the heart muscle. Stress test can evaluate the possibility of coronary artery disease/plaques and lack of blood flow to the heart muscle or ischemia.
Carotid Artery Ultrasound
Carotid artery ultrasound helps identify blockages and narrowing in the carotid arteries of the neck.
Abdominal Aortic Artery Ultrasound
Abdominal aortic artery ultrasound helps identify blockages and narrowing in abdominal aorta.
Arterial Ultrasound of the Arms and Legs
Used to show the blood circulation to the arms and legs and helps identify blockages and narrowing in the arteries of upper and lower limbs.
Venous Ultrasound of the Arms and Legs
Venous ultrasound of the arms and legs is used to search for blood clots in the arms and legs.
Cardiac Monitors
Cardiac monitors are used when longer term monitoring is needed to record the heart's electrical activity, heart rate and rhythm.
- 24 Hour Monitor
- 48 Hour Monitor
- 14 Day Monitor
- 30 Day Monitor
- 3 Year Monitor (Implantable Loop Recorder)
Additional Diagnostic Procedures
The following diagnostic procedures may be ordered by San Diego County Cardiology and are performed by radiologists or radiology professionals at a hospital or diagnostic imaging center.
Computed Tomography for Calcium Scoring (Coronary Calcium CT)
Coronary Calcium CT is a CT imaging that uses X-ray to picture the calcified plaque or blockage in the coronary arteries of the heart. High Coronary Calcium Score (CAC) can be associated with increased risk of heart attack.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Cardiac MRI)
Cardiac MRI is an imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart muscle, heart valves and heart function.
Cardiac CT Angiography (CCTA)
Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) is a CT scan with the injection of dye to visualize the heart and all the blood vessels of the heart.
Coronary Angiography
Also known as heart catheterization, coronary angiography uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the coronary arteries in the heart. This test can detect any plaques or blockage in the coronary arteries.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels.
Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (Cardiac PET Scan)
Cardiac PET scan is an imaging scan to indicate how well the heart muscle is working. This test also can detect plaque or blockage in the arteries of the heart.