Diagnostic Services

An effective treatment plan requires a timely and accurate diagnosis. That’s why Fairfield Medical Center offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for heart and vascular problems.

Cardiac Diagnostics:

Echocardiogram (also called an Echo or a Transthoracic Echo) – determines whether there are problems with blood vessels, valves, chambers or walls of the heart. During an echo, a small device is pressed against the skin to send ultrasound beams at the heart. The sound waves bounce back and are converted into moving images on a monitor. Other types of echo procedures include:

• Transesophageal Echo (also called TEE) – provides closer images of the upper chambers of the heart by guiding a flexible tube down the throat into the esophagus.
• Stress Echo – assesses problems that occur only during physical activity by taking ultrasound images of the heart before and after walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.
• Doppler – reviews the speed and direction of blood flow and checks blood pressure in the arteries of the heart by examining changes in the pitch of ultrasound waves bouncing back from the heart.
• Stress Test (also called a treadmill or exercise test) – determines the amount of stress the heart can handle before it develops an abnormal rhythm or blood flow issues. During a stress test, electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest and a nurse or technician watches the heartbeat on a monitor while the patient exercises. In a nuclear stress test, a shot of contrast dye is given to show the blood flow to the heart.

Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiogram (also called a CTA or Cardiac CT) – creates high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the moving heart and blood vessels to determine the presence of plaque and blockages in arteries. During the procedure, the patient may be given a contrast dye through a vein for better images.

Cardiac Monitor Event Monitor (also called a Holter monitor) – measures and records the heart’s activity continuously over time (usually 24 to 48 hours) using a small battery-operated device with several electrode patches that are attached to the skin.

Heads-Up Tilt Table Test (also called Tilt Test) – determines the cause of fainting spells. Patients lie on a bed and are titled at different angles while their blood pressure, electrical impulses in the heart and oxygen levels are monitored.

Pulmonary Function Testing – a series of tests that determine how well the lungs are working to bring oxygen to the rest of the body.

Electrocardiogram (also called and EKG or ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart through electrode patches placed on the chest, arms and legs.

Cardiac Pediatric Testing – Fairfield Medical Center partners with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to offer pediatric Echocardiograms (Echo) and Electrocardiograms (EKG). FMC technicians perform the test which is read by a Cardiologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.