Has your doctor referred you to a cardiologist? Do you have a heart condition that needs managing? Or are you just concerned about your heart health and want to know what you can do to stay healthy? In these and many other situations, the clinical cardiologists at Colorado Springs Cardiology can help.
With multiple locations across Southern Colorado offering the latest technology, and dozens of providers, we can match you with the care you need, provided by a clinician you like, in a location that’s convenient for you. We are here with you, and we will listen to your concerns. Our diligent staff work efficiently, and we care for you as an individual and as a whole person. You aren’t just a condition to us, and we work to provide the physical treatment and emotional support you need to deal with the challenges of a heart condition. At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we take your care to heart.
At Colorado Springs Cardiology, our clinical cardiology department focuses on diagnosing and managing heart conditions. More active treatment is handled by our interventional cardiology department.
The most commonly requested services provided by our clinical cardiology department include:
An electrocardiogram (ECG, also known as EKG, based on the German spelling) measures the natural electric pulses that control your heart. We attach plastic patches containing electrodes to your body. These pick up the natural electric pulses that stimulate your heartbeat. The electrodes are completely passive – they don’t introduce any electricity to your body, they only measure what your body produces.
An ECG measures how fast your heart is beating, can check for irregular heartbeats, detect weak heartbeats, and can tell if the different parts of your heart are beating in sync. It is a simple, quick procedure to screen for many heart conditions like arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). It can also monitor the overall health of your heart and ensure treatments like pacemakers are working properly.
An echocardiogram or “echo” is a noninvasive ultrasound test that assesses the structure and function of your heart. The echocardiogram can provide a wealth of information, including the size and shape of your heart, pumping capacity , location and extent of tissue damage, and assessment of the valves. This test typically takes less than one hour to perform.
Most echocardiograms are performed with an ultrasound probe placed against your chest. However, we may need to view the heart from a different angle with a transesophageal (across the esophagus) echocardiogram. After sedation and numbing, a small probe is placed down your throat where it can better detect the shape and movement of your heart with less body mass interference.
A Holter monitor is a wearable ECG device that can keep track of your heart rhythm throughout the day. Many heart problems are intermittent and may not show up during an in-office ECG. With a Holter monitor, we can detect some of the heart problems that seem to occur unpredictably. Looking at the data from your Holter monitor will help us understand how your heart functions over the course of a normal day.
Some cardiac conditions, like blockages in your coronary arteries, are undetectable when your heart is at rest. These only show up when there is a heart rate increase because of exertion. We have different types of exercise stress tests such as treadmill only, with an echocardiogram, or with a radiotracer and additional imaging, that help us detect these types of heart disease.
Cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) combined with CT (computed tomography) is the most advanced cardiac imaging. PET-CT is a non-invasive and painless test that uses a very small amount of radioactive tracer combined with a medication through an IV that simulates the effects of exercise to evaluate your heart’s blood flow. Your cardiologist can use this information to make an extremely informed decision about your next steps in the care of your heart.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a tool for imaging soft tissue in the body, including the heart. Using a powerful magnetic field, a computer can produce detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding tissue. Damaged tissue, infections, inflammation, and tumors on or around the heart can be detected. It also offers a more precise look at coronary artery disease, detecting blocked or restricted coronary arteries.
Contrast fluid may be used to help get more detailed images. You will receive an IV injection at the time of your procedure if necessary.
Computed Tomography (think of it as a 3-D Xray) is a tool for imaging hard tissues in the body, like hardened arteries. In the process of hardening, your arteries accumulate buildup called plaque. This plaque usually includes calcium, that is easily detected using this modality and aids in risk stratification of future cardiac events. This is especially useful for people at high risk for heart attack, but who don’t currently have heart disease symptoms.
Colorado Springs Cardiology is a team united in dedication to our patients. We work hard to ensure not only that you get the best care, but that you have the best experience at our practice. We tailor our treatments to your unique individual needs while also treating your whole person – mind, body, and spirit. We respect our patients and treat you with consideration of your situation and your feelings.
We utilize advanced technologies and provide cutting edge procedures with proven positive outcomes. Beyond the clinical tools we employ, we offer aid to help our patients get the treatment they need. We have many convenient locations across Southern Colorado.
Our large team helps us match you with the provider who’s best for you. We have more providers than any other cardiology practice in Southern Colorado, which means we can match you with a specialist you feel comfortable with. We can even match you with providers at different levels – RNs, doctors, etc. – to make sure you get the best care in a timely, efficient manner. Plus, you’ll have a dedicated care team, so you’ll get to know them, and they’ll get to know you. This not only helps you feel comfortable, it makes for better treatment.
We handle many other cardiology services. To learn whether we offer a service recommended by your doctor, please call 719-960-0363 and ask.