Cardiology Services
At The Cardio Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of cardiology services to meet
the needs of our patients.
Consultation and Assessment of Suspended Heart Conditions
Patients with symptoms suspicious of heart disease will undergo a specialist consultation with a full and detailed history obtained by our Cardiologist. Thereafter, a full physical examination will be performed including measurements of vital signs, weight, height and body mass index. Our Cardiologist will make an initial diagnosis and suggest further evaluation and treatment options.
Cardiac Screening
Our hearts serve us every moment of the day and for the average person in Singapore, it would have pumped more than 3 billion times at the end of our lives. It is hence prudent that some patients at some stage may benefit from screening evaluation to assess their heart health. Patients who might benefit from screening include those with pre-existing diseases e.g. obesity, hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol as well as patients with family history of heart disease or who are smokers.
General Health Screening
We provide general health screening services which includes a detailed history, physical examination, blood test screening and other relevant tests or investigations.
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Management
Receive expert care in the treatment of your high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Some patients may developed complex forms of high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure that is not of the garden variety.
Comprehensive Blood Tests
We are able to provide access to a full and comprehensive range of blood tests and at the same time, tailor these tests to your needs.
ECG
ECG stands for an “electrocardiogram”. This is a tracing of the electrical activity within your heart. The resting ECG is a valuable initial test in revealing various disorders of the heart and is required in all patients with suspected heart disease.
Treadmill Stress Test
A treadmill stress ECG is performed to screen patients for suspected significant blockage of their heart arteries. It is also useful in assessing exercise tolerance and stability of heart rhythm during exercise. This test however is not able to detect minor narrowing of your heart arteries.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of your heart. Among other things, it assesses the structure, size, and strength of your. In addition, it is the gold standard test in assessing the valves of the heart. This test is extremely useful and importantly, without risk. It takes about 20 minutes to perform. It cannot however, see the arteries of the heart.
24-Hour Holter ECG Assessment
This is an assessment of every beat of your heart within 24 hours. It is a simple and safe test whereby ECG leads are taped to your chest and are attached to a small recording device about the size of a small mobile phone. The device is aimed at assessing your heart rhythm during your usual daily activity. You do not need to be admitted in the hospital.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Assessment
Similar to the 24 hour Holter ECG, the ambulatory blood pressure device is carried for a whole day. It automatically measures your blood pressure throughout the day at regular intervals. This test is meant to assess your blood pressure during your usual activity and in your usual environment. It will provide useful information about your blood pressure pattern and average readings.
CT Calcium Score and CT Coronary Angiography
A CT calcium score is a plain CT scan that does not require an injection of contrast. It calculates the amount of calcium in your heart arteries as an indirect indication of blockages. It cannot visualize the heart arteries or the narrowing within these arteries. A CT coronary angiogram is a non-invasive way to assess the heart arteries for blockages. This test usually incorporates a CT calcium score as well. It requires a contrast injection via a venous cannula in your arm.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
This is a form of stress test of your heart. It uses a small and safe amount of nuclear material that is injected into your blood stream and picked up on a scan of your heart. You may be required to walk on the treadmill or receive a medication to dilate the arteries of your heart or speed up your heart rate. This test assesses the amount of blood flow to your heart and does not directly look at your heart arteries. It is very useful in deciding whether you need to unblock arteries in your heart, and especially useful for patients who cannot run on the treadmill stress test.
Coronary Angiography, Angioplasty and Stenting
A coronary angiogram is the gold standard TEST to assess the heart arteries for blockages. However, it is not performed in all patients presenting with chest pain because of the very small risk involved in this test. It is a minimally invasive procedure. A catheter (small but long tube) is inserted via an injection usually through a blood vessel in your wrist but sometimes in your groin if your wrist artery is not suitable.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, in short TAVI, is a relatively new technology to implant an artificial heart valve in the position of a diseased original valve. It is to treat Aortic Stenosis which is a condition whereby the aortic valve is severely narrowed usually due to aging. A valve is a “door” in the heart that allows blood to flow in one direction. Patients with this condition experience breathlessness on exertion and sometimes chest pain and dizziness or fainting.
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis is an emergency procedure to remove fluid from around the heart. It is used to treat Cardiac Tamponade which is a condition whereby fluid or blood collects between the small space outside of the heart muscle but within the pericardium which is a layer of covering outside of the heart. The accumulated fluid can press on the heart muscle and cause reduced blood being pumped out of a “squeezed” heart.
Temporary Pacemaker Insertion
A temporary pacemaker is a wire that is inserted into the heart chamber via an injection in the groin of neck. The function of the wire is to cause the heart to beat faster if the heart rate is too slow. It is a temporary measure to treat patients with electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their hearts.
Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
A permanent pacemaker is a treatment for patients with electrical heart blocks or severe slowing of their hearts. It is a minor surgery procedure whereby a small pacemaker device is implanted below the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chamber(s) via an injection in these areas. The wire(s) are then connected to the above pacemaker device called a pulse generator. The pacemaker will cause the heart to beat faster whenever it slows down.
Electrophysiological Studies and Radiofrequency Ablation
An electrophysiological study is a minimally invasive procedure whereby wires are inserted into the heart via injections in the groin and neck to assess the electrical activity in the heart. When there are abnormalities in the electrical pathways found, sometimes treatment to disrupt these abnormal pathways are performed using radiofrequency heat called an ablation procedure, also performed using wires.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device somewhat like a pacemaker that is implanted under the skin in the left or right upper chest. One or two wires are inserted into the heart chamber(s) via an injection in these areas. The wire(s) are then connected to the above ICD. The function of the ICD is to detect abnormal life-threatening rhythms in the heart and if necessary automatically “shock” the heart in an attempt to save the patient.
Let’s talk
Ready to Improve Your Heart Health?
Contact us today to schedule an appointment