Cardio-Pulmonary
Diagnosis of heart disease is the key to proper treatment and prevention of a heart attack. From cardiac stress testing to extensive cardio-pulmonary tests, the Peach Regional Medical Center Cardiopulmonary Department offers every service available at larger hospitals. The department is staffed with registered respiratory therapists, certified respiratory therapy technicians, cardiac ultrasound technologists and cardiopulmonary technicians. Cardiopulmonary is an integral part of patient care services at Peach Regional Medical Center. Providing services in inpatient and outpatient settings, the department screens for heart and lung disorders. Treatment for those diagnosed with respiratory diseases is provided by nationally certified therapists. Cardiac Ultrasound Sonographers perform a variety of tests to aid the staff physicians in diagnosis and treatment of cardiac irregularities. Routine studies are performed during regular weekday business hours and our staff is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to perform urgent tests when time is of the essence. Tests include electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms (ultrasound pictures of the heart), peripheral vascular studies (evaluating blood flow through vessels), electroencephalograms (EEGs, checking brain wave patterns, and electrical activity), pulmonary function (PFTs breathing tests that check lung function) and arterial blood gas sampling (ABGs checking blood-oxygen levels). Respiratory Therapists or Cardiopulmonary Technicians also set up and maintain Holter and event monitors, administer handheld nebulizer therapy and assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They also provide Ventilator or life support management, intubation or Placing Artificial Airways, pulse-oximetry, chest physiotherapy, continuous positive airway pessure and oxygen management. Most of these procedures are non-invasive tests to evaluate your heart or brain function, oxygen levels in your blood, lung function and determine your risk for stroke. Want to know more about these procedures? Here is a brief explanation of the key tests performed at Peach Regional. Electrocardiogram An electrocardiogram, often called an EKG, is a simple and safe test used to check the heart's electrical function. Exercise Test An exercise test (ETT), also known as a stress test, is an EKG (a heart test) being done while you are exercising. You will be walking on a treadmill. The exercise test will tell your doctor how your heart reacts when it is forced to work harder. Event Monitor An Event Monitor is an electronic device that will allow you to record a tracing of your heart's action (EKG) when you have a symptom such as feeling faint, dizziness, or palpitations. The monitor is loaned to you for one month. Echocardiogram An echocardiogram (echo) study is a simple, safe test that will help your doctor find out if you have a problem with your heart and, if so, how to treat the problem. An echo is also called a sonogram and uses ultrasound to look at your heart. Ultrasound is sound waves that are too high-pitched to be heard or felt. They are directed toward the heart. The sound waves are recorded and used to create a moving picture of the heart. A specially trained technician will do the echo. The echo will be done in the Cardiovascular Lab unless you are in an intensive care unit. Holter or Ambulatory Monitor An Ambulatory Monitor, sometimes called a Holter, is a painless monitoring of your heart beat up to twenty-four hours. You will be asked to wear a very small recording device. Your monitor weighs only four pounds. The monitor will record every beat of your heart for as long as you wear the equipment. A specially trained technician will attach the monitor to you. You should go about your daily routine (unless instructed by your doctor to do otherwise). Your Ambulatory Monitor will work quietly in the background keeping track of your heart's activity. |
