Cardiac Testing

Vanguard West Suburban Medical Center offers a wide range of tests to diagnose individuals with cardiac conditions so that treatment can begin promptly. Appointments are conveniently available throughout the week and on Saturday.

• Cardiac Catheterization - A qualified cardiologist places a catheter through a patient's blood vessel with X-ray guidance to take photos of the heart, arteries and heart chambers. This procedure can also be used to assess and measure heart valves and coronary arteries. Most patients are able to go home the same day if no further intervention is needed. The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can respond within 30 minutes for emergency procedures. Click here, to learn more about Cardiac Catheterization.
• Cardiac Nuclear Imaging - Involves the use of safely administered radioactive materials to evaluate regional blood supply to the heart and heart function.
• Echocardiogram or Cardiac Ultrasound (ECHO) - Provides a recording of the heart's activity while you exercise. Your heart is monitored by using electrodes to record the electrical activity it makes. Your heart's activity will also be monitored by seeing how your blood pressure and pulse change over the course of the test.
• Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) - Records the heart's electrical activity and documents heart rhythm.
• Holter Monitoring - Involves wearing a small monitor with electrodes to continuously record the EKG for a 24-hour period.
• Stress Tests - Provides information about blood flow to the heart during exercise.
• Transtelephonic Monitoring - Involves wearing a monitor for a 30-day period to capture and record cardiac events.
• Peripheral Angiogram - A cardiologist places a catheter through a blood vessel with X-ray guidance to take photos of the arteries in the legs, arms or abdomen. The renal arteries can also be evaluated with this procedure. Most patients are able to go home the next day if no further intervention is needed.