Echocardiogram
Echocardiography is a rapid and non-invasive technique that allows evaluation of the entire major cardiovascular system in the office. We evaluate the heart, its chambers and its valves; we evaluated the extra cranial segments of the carotid and vertebral arteries; we evaluated the aorta in its abdominal portion and we evaluated the circulation of the legs, both arteries and veins.
Stress test
The ergometry or effort test is a fundamental diagnostic technique that is used mainly for the detection of angina pectoris in patients with chest pain and to assess the response of the heart to exercise. In addition to helping the correct diagnosis, stress testing is useful for estimating the prognosis, physical exercise capacity, and assessing the effect of treatment in patients with known coronary disease.
The spectrum of heart diseases in which the stress test is performed is increasing: arterial hypertension, advanced heart failure, rhythm disturbances, congenital heart disease, etc.
It consists of a physical exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, progressively increasing the load, according to predetermined protocols. The test usually takes between 6-12 minutes.
Once the stress test is started, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring is obtained. Special attention is paid to the electrocardiogram at the moment of maximum effort, and to whether the patient presents angina or shortness of breath during the test and at the end of it. Regular blood pressure measurements are also taken.
Holter ECG
The holter is an instrument used to record the electrical activity of the heart for several hours. The main advantage of this device is being able to record the heart rhythm for a long time, since a routine electrocardiogram only allows us to know what the cardiac electrical circuit is at that very moment and we do not know if it was altered before or after.
The name of this test is due to Norman Holter, an American physicist from the early 20th century who focused his studies on the branch of biophysics. It can be performed on an outpatient basis, so it does not excessively interrupt the patient’s daily routine, you just have to pick up and deliver the Holter.
Blood Pressure monitor
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) involves placing a blood pressure cuff on your arm that automatically inflates every so often, as scheduled by your doctor, usually every 20 to 30 minutes.
The cuff is connected to a small device that records blood pressure measurements. Subsequently, the recorded tension measurements are transferred to a computer, which identifies the heart rate and blood pressure that has been taking throughout a whole day. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is useful in:
People with suspected elevated blood pressure but normal office blood pressure (masked hypertension).
Patients with high blood pressure in the consultation but in whom it is suspected that it may be normal throughout the day (white coat hypertension).
When you want to see if the treatment is being effective throughout the day.
People with high blood pressure who do not respond adequately to treatment.
