Cardiology Consultations

Your doctor will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination. Your doctor will also organise supplemental tests, which may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an ultrasound evaluation of the heart (echocardiogram).

Tests and procedures we may arrange include:

• ECG

• Echocardiogram

• Exercise stress testing

• Transoesophageal echocardiogram

• CT coronary angiogram

• Cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiogram

An echocardiogram uses high frequency sound waves to enable real-time visualisation of your heart while it is beating. This test can be used to check for any problems with the pumping ability of the heart, an assessment of heart chamber size, and any significant abnormalities of the valves of the heart. This is a common test performed to evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or lower limb oedema.

This is a test that is used to evaluate whether or not cardiorespiratory symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath may be the result of inadequate supply of blood to the cardiac muscle. Some heart problems will only manifest during physical activity. During a stress echocardiogram, ultrasound images of your heart will be taken before or immediately after exercise (e.g. usually treadmill). Continuous electrical monitoring of the heart (stress ECG) is also performed simultaneously. While this test does not provide 100% certainty whether or not significant coronary artery disease is present, the results of this test, when taken together with the patient's history and other clinical information, can help the doctor provide an assessment of the likelihood of underlying ischaemic heart disease.

This is a computerised tomography (CT) test which utilises x-rays to image the coronary arteries (i.e. the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle). This test is performed in a radiology practice or hospital. The test requires the administration of iodine contrast through an intravenous cannula. During the test, the patient lies on a special bed which moves through a large circular CT scanner, which takes multiple images of the heart. The iodine contrast helps to highlight the blood vessels in the chest. This test is non-invasive, which makes it ideal for evaluating patients with low-intermediate risk for significant coronary artery disease. Significant obstruction of the coronary arteries can often be ruled out using this test, therefore avoiding the need for an invasive coronary angiogram. The test image quality is best when heart rates are relatively slow. Your specialist and the radiology practice may administer medication to help you achieve the target heart rate.