Non-Invasive Cardiology

External procedures to diagnose and treat

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center offers the latest in non-invasive cardiology to diagnose and determine the extent of cardiovascular conditions. We perform such non-invasive heart procedures as: 

• 2D echo/Doppler — An echocardiogram is a test that uses ultrasound waves to examine the heart. The 2D imaging is the mainstay of echo imaging and allows areas in the heart to be viewed moving in real time, in a cross-section of the heart, in two dimensions.

• 3D transesophageal echo (TEE) — TEE is an echocardiogram that provides three dimensional moving images of the heart in real time. This test is done from inside the esophagus, located just behind the heart. It is used to diagnose heart abnormalities such as valve disease and an aneurysm.

• Stress/nuclear stress testing — A stress test measures blood flow to the heart at rest and during stress on the heart during exercise. A nuclear stress test is used to diagnose heart problems or to determine treatment if a heart condition has already been diagnosed. In both tests, electrodes are attached to the chest, legs and arms and are then are connected by wires to an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) machine. The electrocardiogram records the electrical signals from the heartbeats. During a nuclear stress test, a dye is injected into the bloodstream and travels to your heart. A special scanner is then used to create images of the heart muscle to detect areas of inadequate blood flow.   
• Holter monitoring — A holter monitor records the heart’s rhythm. It is a small device that is usually worn for one to three days and continuously records the heart’s beating.