Cardiology

Cardiology in Manchester, New Hampshire

We are focused on improving your heart health.

Cardiology services at the New England Heart & Vascular Institute at Catholic Medical Center include the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases of the heart. From diagnosis through treatment, you will be closely monitored by multidisciplinary cardiac specialists and providers who will care for all your needs. In addition to medication and procedures, your care plan may also include lifestyle changes and supervised rehabilitation.

Heart disease care

Our noninvasive cardiology department specializes in advanced technologies for diagnosing heart disorders. We offer diagnostics and services for a range of heart diseases, including:

• Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) and other arrhythmias
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve disease
• Peripheral vascular/arterial disease
• Structural heart disease

Our noninvasive cardiology team has extensive experience with the latest technologies for evaluating heart disorders. In our echocardiography lab, skilled cardiac sonographers perform the highest quality echocardiograms, interpreted by board-certified cardiologists.

Our experienced cardiac technicians conduct hundreds of electrocardiograms and stress tests weekly, supervised by advanced practice providers. Cardiac evaluations may also include advanced noninvasive imaging techniques such as nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) — all interpreted by our board-certified specialists.

Diagnostic tests we offer

Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

An EKG measures the electrical activity in the heart. It can determine if a heart attack has occurred, predict an impending heart attack and monitor changes in your heart rhythm. An EKG is performed by placing small electrode patches on the skin of your chest, arms and legs. It is a quick and painless procedure that can be done in an outpatient setting.

We have achieved 20 years of IAC Echocardiography accreditation, including bronze milestone recognition. We have been committed to improving your health and safety through high-quality echocardiograms interpretation since 2004.

Stress testing

A stress test can involve exercise stress testing, nuclear stress testing, a stress echocardiogram, or a PET stress test. These tests help evaluate how your heart handles exertion. There are several ways to conduct a stress test. Generally, during a stress test, you are connected to an EKG machine that monitors your heart while you walk on a treadmill or receive medication to raise your heart rate. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing pattern and fatigue are also all measured during the test.

During a nuclear stress test, you receive a small injection of a radioactive substance, and a special camera takes pictures of your heart during exercise. Similarly, a stress echo takes detailed readings of your heart function before and after exercise. Both of these tests provide a higher level of detail when demonstrating how the heart responds to exertion.

Stress tests are important tools for those experiencing chest pain, arrhythmias or blocked arteries. They are also helpful in determining a safe level of activity for someone who has had a heart attack.

Holter/event monitoring

A Holter monitor is a portable device, similar to an EKG, that measures your heart’s activity for an extended period of time (24 to 48-hours or even longer in some cases). You may need a Holter monitor if you have an irregular heartbeat or to monitor how well you are responding to treatment for an arrhythmia.

For longer evaluations, you may be fitted with an event monitor or a Zio patch cardiac monitor. An event monitor is similar to a Holter monitor, but it’s worn for a longer period of time and records information when activated by the patient. The Zio patch cardiac monitor can monitor heart function for an extended period of time with just one patch attached to the chest. You can shower while wearing the Zio patch.

Wearing a Holter or an event monitor is painless. Our noninvasive technicians will apply the monitor’s electrodes to your chest, and these experts will provide all the necessary information and considerations for wearing the monitor. You may be asked to keep a journal of your activity and any symptoms you experience while wearing the device. Your doctor will receive the results of your test and discuss them with you.

Long-term cardiac monitoring

If you need long-term heart monitoring, Catholic Medical Center offers implanted monitors. These implants are placed under the skin and continuously monitor heart rhythm to help identify potential problems not detected by other tests or monitors. The device wirelessly transmits data for your doctor to review. Once a day, the device syncs with a wireless monitor that stores the data for your doctor to review.

Based on the results of your tests, we can determine if further testing is necessary, if a procedure is required or if your condition can be managed with medication. Should you need a procedure, our imaging technology helps our interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons plan the most effective approach.

Our Heart Failure Clinic

The Heart Failure Clinic at our New England Heart & Vascular Institute (NEHVI) takes a coordinated approach to caring for you and your congestive heart failure (CHF). Whether you’re newly diagnosed or are suffering from advanced symptoms, caregivers from NEHVI, along with other departments and partners, work together to provide you the services and resources you need all in one place. Here, you are a part of a team dedicated to educating and empowering you to effectively manage your condition, stay out of the hospital and increase your awareness about your overall health.

At the Heart Failure Clinic, you’ll find a full range of coordinated services to address your needs. Our team includes experts in:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Nutrition
• Transitional/Home care

For more information or referral to the Heart Failure Clinic, ask your cardiologist or primary care physician, or call the New England Heart & Vascular Institute at (603) 669-0413.

CardioMEMS™

If your CHF is advanced, you've had at least one hospital admission within the last year and have ongoing symptoms, you can be evaluated for the CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure System. This device helps you manage your CHF from home, reducing the likelihood of a hospital stay, by continuously and remotely monitoring the pressure inside your lung (which is an indication of fluid buildup around the heart). The care team can then adjust medications as necessary without an office visit. NEHVI has the most advanced CardioMEMS™ program in New England and one of the most experienced in the country.