Cardiac Radiology & Diagnostics

At Northern Heart Hospital, accurate, reliable, and timely diagnoses are essential for positive health outcomes, especially for infectious diseases. The diagnostic process begins when a patient presents symptoms, initiating rounds of information gathering, integration, and interpretation to form a working diagnosis. This process involves effective communication between the patient, family, and healthcare professionals.

Key sources of information include the patient’s clinical history, physical examination, diagnostic tests, and consultations with other clinicians. The goal is to rule out differential diagnoses and keep the patient informed about the diagnosis and its reliability. The working diagnosis is continuously refined as new data emerge, and any changes are communicated to the patient.

Verification of the diagnosis involves comparing it with the patient’s symptoms and health status, ensuring that only necessary tests are conducted. While some tests may be invasive, they are crucial when current information is insufficient. Patient treatment may start before the final diagnosis, but ongoing care is optimised by reducing uncertainty. The results of initial treatments help refine the diagnosis.

Diagnostic testing, a cornerstone of modern diagnosis, includes laboratory tests, pathology, imaging, and screenings for mental health, sleep apnea, vision, hearing, cognition, and neurological status. These tests are vital for early detection and accurate diagnosis, enabling effective treatment planning.

Northern Heart Hospital offers an in-house laboratory that offers a comprehensive array of clinical laboratory services, including haematology, biochemistry, immunology and serology, microbiology, and histopathology. These laboratory tests are essential for helping doctors prevent, diagnose, monitor, and treat a wide range of medical conditions.

Northern Heart Hospital’s approach to screenings in healthcare emphasises early detection and treatment of diseases and conditions through the use of the latest technology for accurate diagnosis. As a diagnostic centre, the hospital is supported by its radiology and imaging departments, aiming to help maintain your heart health effectively. This approach is the best way to manage and reduce health risks, thereby enhancing your quality of life.

Dedicated to continually improving every aspect of patient experience, Northern Heart Hospital is committed to providing comprehensive screening services, check-ups, and tests in a comfortable and safe environment.

Northern Heart Hospital offers a full range of diagnostic and radiology scans and imaging to accurately diagnose and treat patients. Our departments provide daily services for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients of all ages. Our specialised radiologists and highly trained healthcare professionals work as a team to interpret your imaging reports and assist your medical team in making the best decisions for your treatment.

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Diagnosis

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is a diagnostic tool used to record the heart’s electrical activity, producing a graph that shows heart rhythm within a minute. This test helps diagnose various heart diseases and arrhythmias.
  Estimated completion time: 5–10 minutes.
• Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill): This test involves walking on a treadmill to help diagnose coronary artery disease and investigate irregular heart rhythms.
  Estimated completion time: 25–35 minutes.
• Echocardiogram (ECHO): An ECHO uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving images of the heart, assessing its function and detecting valvular heart diseases.
  Estimated completion time: 20–30 minutes.
• Stress Echocardiogram (Stress ECHO): Combining an exercise stress test with ultrasound imaging, this test provides detailed information on ischemic heart disease by examining heart muscle contraction before and after exercise.
  Estimated completion time: 30–45 minutes.
• Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram: For patients unable to walk, this test uses an IV Dobutamine infusion to mimic exercise, providing detailed ultrasound images of heart muscle contraction at various stages.
  Estimated completion time: 60–90 minutes.
• Ambulatory Electrocardiography Monitoring (Holter): A portable device that records heart activity over 24 hours, useful for detecting irregular heart rhythms.
• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM): This device measures blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours while the patient goes about their daily activities.
• Cardiac Event Recorder: This device records the heart’s electrical activity during symptoms, capturing information before, during, and after symptoms occur, providing a comprehensive view for clinicians.

Radiology

• MRI Machine (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of organs and tissues within the body, especially useful for soft tissue evaluation.
• Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans use advanced X-ray technology and computer processing to create high-resolution 3D images of internal organs, aiding in precise diagnoses and surgical planning.
• CT Coronary Artery Calcium Scan: This scan measures calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, indicating the risk of heart disease. A high score may lead to further evaluation with a CT Coronary Angiogram.
  Estimated completion time: 5–15 minutes.
• Mammography: Used to detect early signs of breast cancer and other breast diseases, this imaging technique is crucial for preventive health care.
  Estimated completion time: 10–15 minutes.
• CT Coronary Angiogram (CTCA): A non-invasive study that provides detailed images of coronary arteries, identifying the presence and extent of coronary artery disease. It allows patients to resume daily activities post-examination.
  Estimated completion time: 20–30 minutes.
• General X-ray: A common diagnostic tool that provides a quick view inside the body, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions.
• Portable X-ray/Mobile X-ray: Designed for use in settings like ICUs where patient mobility is limited, these units bring diagnostic capabilities directly to the patient’s bedside.
  Estimated completion time: 10–15 minutes.
• Bone Densitometry (DEXA): The gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, DEXA scans measure bone density using low-dose radiation to assess bone loss, particularly in the spine and hips. Estimated completion time: 10–15 minutes.
• Ultrasound: This imaging technique uses sound waves to produce images of internal organs and tissues without radiation. It can capture real-time images of body parts in motion, such as the heart and blood vessels. Estimated completion time: 25–40 minutes.