Heart screening and imaging

Heart imaging in Derry, New Hampshire

At Parkland Medical Center, you have access to advanced heart tests and diagnostic tools delivered with your safety and comfort in mind. These heart screening technologies enable us to provide the most accurate diagnoses and most effective treatments currently available.

For more information about our cardiac tests and imaging services, call our Consult-A-Nurse^® team, available 24/7, at (877) 642-2362.

Diagnostic heart tests we offer

Working with Parkland, you'll benefit from:

• Our sophisticated Cardiac Catheterization Lab and nonsurgical interventional cardiology procedures, allowing us to diagnose heart conditions 24/7 and treat them on the spot with the least invasive means possible
• Our same-day/next-day stress tests and quick results, which can lead to immediate treatment
• Our participation in the Radiation Right safety program, which ensures you receive the lowest dose of radiation possible during cardiac tests and imaging procedures
• Our nationally accredited echocardiography lab

Cardiac catheterization

We use this minimally invasive diagnostic test, which employs a thin, flexible tube and X-rays, to see inside the heart and blood vessels.

Holter/event monitoring

Through electrodes attached to the chest, this test records the heart’s electrical signals.

Nuclear cardiac imaging

Nuclear cardiac imaging uses small amounts of radioactive material to assess blood flow and other cardiac activity.

Segmental blood pressure

This test monitors blood pressure in each leg to test for possible obstructions in your arteries.

Stress tests

Stress tests monitor heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure to determine how well the heart manages exercise.

Vascular testing

Vascular testing employs a comprehensive range of noninvasive procedures to determine blood flow and circulation or blockages in vessels outside the heart. We've received vascular ultrasound accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, demonstrating the high level of patient care we provide.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

We can record blood pressure readings intermittently over a 24- or 48-hour period as you go about your normal routine.

Cardiac CT angiography

Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA)—a nonsurgical imaging procedure—uses high-speed CT scans to determine the extent of blockage in coronary arteries. Cardiologists can use CCTAs to diagnose vascular or heart disease. We can also use CCTAs to assess blood flow or examine a cardiac mass.

Your cardiologist, assisted by qualified nurses and technicians, can perform CCTAs in our advanced Cardiac Catheterization Lab. The procedure takes 45 to 90 minutes.

If you have questions about our Cardiac Catheterization Lab, call (603) 421-2240.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving images of the heart. We use these tests to assess the size, shape and motion of the heart and to pinpoint heart muscles that aren’t contracting properly. We've received an echocardiography accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission—an honor recognizing the high quality of our diagnostic evaluations.

Echocardiograms can detect:

• Blood clots
• Fluid buildup around the heart
• Valve conditions
• Other heart problems

Transesophageal echocardiogram

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is an ultrasound test that visualizes the anatomy of the heart using a small probe placed inside the esophagus. These diagnostic exams are painless and allow your doctor to look at your heart in motion and diagnose issues.

During an echocardiography or TEE, a technician places a small microphone-like device (called a transducer) against your chest to obtain different views of your heart. The test usually takes less than an hour.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

During an electrocardiogram, we place electrodes on your skin to track the heart’s electrical activity. These electrical signals are turned into a graph that we can use to evaluate your heartbeat.

Our cardiology team uses EKGs to:

• Diagnose heart attacks, arrhythmias and other heart conditions
• Detect conditions that alter the body’s balance of electrolytes (e.g., potassium and magnesium)
• Identify other problems, like medication overdoses

During an EKG, your cardiology team will apply several small adhesive pads to your legs, arms and chest and connect them to an EKG machine. The procedure takes five to 10 minutes.

Electrophysiology studies

Electrophysiology (EP) is the cardiac specialty that studies the heart’s electrical system to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms, which are also called arrhythmias.

During an EP study, your cardiology team will insert catheters through the veins of the leg or shoulder into the heart, recording electrical signals from inside the heart. We can then stimulate the heart to trigger an abnormal rhythm.

Our EP techniques and related services include:

• Holter monitoring
• Pacemaker and defibrillator analysis and reprogramming
• Heart event monitoring
• Pharmacologic stress testing