Non-Invasive Testing

Overview Non-Invasive Testing Heart Failure Cardiometabolic Health & Preventive Cardiology Cardiac Rehab & Wellness Women's Heart Health

Evaluating Your Heart Disease

If you experience chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, or have a history of heart disease or valve issues, you may be referred to the New England Heart & Vascular Institute for an evaluation. Our Non-Invasive Cardiology department specializes in advanced technologies for diagnosing heart disorders. This evaluation may involve several tests detailed below.

Based on these results, we can determine if further testing is necessary, if a procedure is required, or if your condition can be managed with medication. Should you need a procedure, our imaging technology helps our interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons in planning the most effective approach.

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Why choose CMC?

Our Non-Invasive Cardiology team has extensive experience with the latest technologies for evaluating heart disorders. In our academic center quality Echocardiography Lab, skilled cardiac sonographers perform the highest quality echocardiograms, interpreted by board-certified cardiologists. Our experienced cardiac technicians conduct hundreds of electrocardiograms and stress tests weekly, supervised by advanced practice providers. Cardiac evaluations may also include advanced non-invasive imaging techniques such as nuclear cardiology, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and cardiac PET, all interpreted by our board-certified specialists.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG measures the electrical activity in the heart. It can determine if a heart attack has occurred, predict if one is about to happen, and monitor changes in your heart rhythm. An EKG is performed by placing small electrode patches on the skin of your chest, arms and legs. It is a quick and painless procedure that can be done in an outpatient setting.

Stress Testing

A stress test can involve exercise stress testing, nuclear stress testing, a stress echocardiogram, or a PET stress test. These tests help evaluate how your heart handles exertion. There are several ways to conduct a stress test. Generally, during a stress test, you are connected to an EKG machine that monitors your heart while you walk on a treadmill or receive medication to raise your heart rate. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing pattern and fatigue are also all measured during the test.

During a nuclear stress test, you are given a small injection of a radioactive substance and a special camera takes pictures of your heart during exercise. Similarly, a stress echo takes detailed readings of your heart function before and after exercise. Both of these tests provide a higher level of detail regarding how the heart responds to exertion.

Stress tests are important tools for patients experiencing chest pain, arrhythmias, or blocked arteries. They are also helpful in determining a safe level of activity for someone who has had a heart attack.

Holter/Event Monitoring

A Holter monitor is a portable device, similar to an EKG, that measures your heart’s activity for an extended period of time (24 to 48-hours or even longer in some cases). You may be put on a Holter monitor if you have an irregular heartbeat, or to monitor how well you are responding to treatment for an arrhythmia.

For longer evaluations you may be fitted with an event monitor or a Zio patch cardiac monitor. An event monitor is similar to a Holter monitor but is worn for a longer period and records information when activated by the patient. The Zio patch cardiac monitor can monitor heart function for an extended period of time with just one patch attached to the chest. Patients wearing the Zio patch can shower with it on.

Wearing a Holter or event monitor is painless. Our non-invasive technicians will apply the monitor’s electrodes to your chest and provide all the necessary information and considerations for wearing the monitor. You may be asked to keep a journal of your activity and any symptoms you experience while wearing the device. Your provider will receive the results of your test and discuss them with you.

Long-Term Cardiac Monitoring

For patients who need long-term heart monitoring, CMC offers implanted monitors, including the Reveal LINQ^TM Insertable Cardiac Monitoring (ICM) System and the Confirm Rx^TM Insertable Cardiac Monitor. An ICM is placed under the skin and continuously monitors heart rhythm to help identify potential problems not detected by other tests or monitors. The device wirelessly transmits data for your doctor to review. Once a day, the device syncs with a wireless monitor that stores the data for your doctor to review.