CARDIOVASCULAR

PROCEDURES

Donna On Presentation 5

Biology 120 02.15.12

Introduction to Cardiovascular Procedure

• Specific testing that patients take base on the patient’s problem.

• The three that I will be discussing are the Cardiac Function Tests:

–Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)

–Holter monitor

–Stress testing

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY

• Process of recording the electrical activity of the heart.

• This testing is use to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers.

• Its also useful in diagnosis of abnormal cardiac rhythm and heart muscular damage.

HOLTER MONITOR • A portable ECG monitor

worn by a patient at least 24hr to monitor the heart and pulse activity while the person is going through the activities of their daily living.

• This monitor is used on patient who experience chest pain and unusual heart activity during exercise and normal activities.

STRESS TESTING • Stress testing is also called an

exercise test or treadmill test. • A monitor for evaluating

cardiovascular fitness. • The patient is placed on a

treadmill or a bicycle and then subjected to steadily increasing levels of work.

• An EKG and oxygen levels are taken while the patient exercises.

• The test is stopped if abnormalities occur on the EKG.

SOURCE

• Medical Terminology: A Living Language by Bonnie F. Fremgen and Suzanne S. Frucht, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall Publishing, 2009

Pictures are taken from:

• http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=ii