OUR SERVICES

Dr. Constantinos Ergatoudes

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Services and tests

An ECG (also called an "electrocardiogram") is a test that records a person's heart rate (how fast it beats) and rhythm. It does this by measuring the electrical activity in the heart.
A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in a spot near the top of the heart. This signal follows a path to spread across the heart. As it spreads, the signal causes the heart muscle to squeeze. Each time the heart squeezes ("beats"), it pumps blood through the whole body.
● See if you are having or had a heart attack.
● Look for other heart conditions or follow a known heart condition.
● Help figure out why you have chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness, a fast heart rate, or other symptoms.
● Check how healthy your heart is before you have surgery.
● Check how well your heart medicines or other heart treatments are working.
Before an ECG, you don't need do anything special. But you should tell your doctor what medicines you take, because they might affect the test results.
For an ECG, the Doctor will first stick patches (called "electrodes") onto your chest, arms, and legs .
If there is excess hair on your chest, the doctor may need to shave your skin to ensure a proper signal is transmitted Wires connect the patches to the ECG machine.
The machine will measure and record your heart's electrical activity and print out the results.

Echocardiogram

Services and tests

An echocardiogram, also called an "echo," is an imaging test that creates pictures of your heart as it beats.
During an echo, the doctor uses a thick wand, called a "transducer" or "probe," to send sound waves into the heart.
The sound waves create images that show the size of the heart chambers, how well the heart pumps, and how well the heart valves work.
● Look for a problem in the heart or in the blood vessels around the heart.
● Check on a known heart problem or condition.
● Try to find the cause of symptoms, such as shortness of breath, leg swelling, or an irregular heartbeat.
● Check your heart after a heart attack or heart surgery.
● Check how well your heart medicines are working.
Before the echo starts, the doctor will put some stickers on your chest to monitor your heartbeat.
For an echo, you will lie on your back or left side. The Doctor will put a small amount of gel on your chest. Then he or she will press the transducer against your chest and move it around.
He or she might ask you to hold your breath or change positions during the test. Images of your heart will appear on a computer screen

Stress Test

Dr Costas Ergatoudes Stress Test

A stress test measures how well the heart works when it is beating fast and working hard. When the heart pumps fast, it needs more blood. A stress test helps doctors see if the heart is getting enough blood during these times. A stress test is sometimes called an "exercise test" or a "treadmill test."
The Stress test is used:
a. for the detection of coronary heart disease in:

1. people with suspicious discomfort (precardiac pain, feeling pulse, dizziness, syncope)
2. asymptomatic persons over the age of 40, belonging to in special professions (pilots, public transport drivers etc.)
3. asymptomatic individuals with two or more predisposing risk factors (eg smokers with diabetes)
4. patients with recurrent arrhythmias

b. for the assessment of prognosis and therapeutic effect in patients:

1. with chronic coronary heart disease undergoing conservative treatment
2. who suffered an acute myocardial infarction
3. with a history of coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous coronary angioplasty
c. If he/she is suitable for an exercise program, and if he/she is how intensely he/she can exercise.
d. If he/she is suitable for cardiac program rehabilitation, and if so, how strongly he/she can sports.
To prepare for a stress test, you will probably need to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking for 3 hours before .
For your stress test, you should wear comfortable clothes that you can exercise in.
You should also bring any inhalers that you use to help your breathing.
For a stress test, the doctor will first do an ECG and measure your blood pressure.
Then he or she will "stress" your heart and increase your heart rate by have you run or walk on a treadmill.
During your stress test, the doctor will watch you. Doctor will check your blood pressure, do several ECGs, and ask how you feel.
The test will end when you can't exercise anymore or when your doctor or nurse tells you the test is over.

Stress Echo (Echocardiogram)

Services and tests

A stress echo is a test done to assess how well the heart works under stress. The “stress” can be triggered by either exercise on a treadmill or a medicine called dobutamine.
Check for heart problems that get worse or are visible only when the heart pumps fast. See if you can safely exercise after a heart attack.
For a stress echo, your doctor will probably ask you not to eat, drink, or smoke for 3 hours beforehand.
The Doctor might also change or stop some of your heart medicines, if you take any.
You should wear comfortable clothes that you can exercise in.
If you have a stress echo, the doctor will do an echo while you are resting.
Then the Doctor will "stress" your heart and raise your heart rate with 1 of the following:
● Have you run or walk on a treadmill
● Give you medicine to make your heart pump faster. (People who can't run or walk can get medicine instead of exercising).
● Immediately after these, while your heart is still pumping fast, he or she will do another echo.

Holter Monitor Test

Services and tests

A Holter monitor is a small, battery-powered medical device that measures your heart’s activity, such as rate and rhythm. Your doctor may ask you to use one if they need more information about how your heart functions than a routine electrocardiogram (EKG) can give them.
Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring is a continuous test to record your heart’s rate and rhythm for 24 hours. You wear the Holter monitor for 24 to 48 hours as you go about your normal daily routine.
This device has electrodes and electrical leads exactly like a regular EKG, but it has fewer leads. It can pick up not only your heart’s rate and rhythm but also when you feel chest pains or exhibit symptoms of an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia.
● For the investigation of unexplained syncope, near syncope, or episodic dizziness.
● For the investigation of unexplained recurrent palpitation.
● To assess the average heart rate and adequacy of rate control in patients with Atrial Fibrillation.
● To evaluate for occult AF as a potential cause of cardioembolism in patients with cryptogenic stroke.
● To screen for asymptomatic arrhythmias.
Your Holter monitor test will begin in your doctor’s office. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing during your test, allowing the electrodes to stay in place.
The will clean your skin, then attach electrodes to your chest. If there is excess hair on your chest, the doctor may need to shave your skin to ensure a proper signal is transmitted.
You wear a small pouch around your waist that holds the monitor itself. You’ll get instructions that explain how to take care of your monitor and what not to do while you’re wearing it. It’s important to avoid bathing, showering, and swimming while you’re wearing the monitor. You’re encouraged to participate in your normal activities during the test.
You’ll be directed to record your activities in a notebook. This helps your doctor determine if changes in heart activity are related to your behaviors and movements.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)

Services and tests

ABPM involves measuring blood pressure (BP) at regular intervals (usually every 20–30 minutes) over a 24 hour period while patients undergo normal daily activities, including sleep.
The portable monitor is worn on a belt connected to a standard cuff on the upper arm and measures systolic, diastolic and mean BP as well as heart rate.
When complete, the device is connected to a computer that prepares a report of the 24 hour, day time, night time, and sleep and awake (if recorded) average systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate.
● To establish a diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension).
● To identify patients who have higher blood pressure readings when in the doctor’s office (known as ‘white coat effect’).
● To help decide if blood pressure medication is required.
● To help to decide whether any change to your medication is required.
● To further investigate people whose blood pressure is hard to control.
● To see how well a patient’s blood pressure medicines are controlling blood pressure throughout the day.
● To see what happens to a patient’s blood pressure at night.
This type of blood pressure measurement is similar to your usual blood pressure measurement: an electronic monitor takes your blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your upper arm and then slowly releasing the pressure.
The monitor is fitted at doctor’s office. It will be placed inside a protective cover and it is important that it remains in this for the duration of the monitoring. The machine then takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day. Normally this is around every 15-30 minutes during the daytime and 30-60 minutes at night but may vary between different clinics.
If asked, you will need to keep the monitor on throughout the night; many people put the machine under the pillow or on the bed while they sleep. At the end of the monitoring period you can remove the machine and cuff and give it back.
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Health Assessment
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Health Prevention
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Treatment and Maintainance of your Health
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