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Diagnostics Testing/Therapy
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Diagnostic tests and procedures are used to determine if a person has heart disease and to assist the physician in choosing the most effective treatment. John Muir Health takes pride in being a leader in technology. First in the East Bay to have a full service cardiac catheterization laboratory and first to perform open heart surgery in the early 70's, John Muir Health continues to be at the cutting edge of cardiac service. As new techniques and procedures are developed, our physicians, nurses, and support staff step up to the challenge and go all-out to learn and achieve skills necessary to provide our patients with the most current diagnostic and treatment procedures for cardiac disease.
In the past years, diagnostic procedures have become very precise and sophisticated, providing the information that is needed for treatment tailored to an individual's particular condition. Diagnostic procedures aid in identifying the presence or absence of a problem as well as the severity of a condition.
The tests are categorized by the type of testing or technology used. For example:
- Electrocardiograph tests use the electrocardiogram to evaluate the electrical activity generated by the heart at rest and with activity.
- Nuclear imaging is a method of producing images by detecting radiation from different parts of the body after the administration of a radioactive tracer material.
- Ultrasound tests (echocardiogram) use ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, to create graphic images of the heart's structures, pumping action, and direction of blood flow.
- Radiographic tests use x-ray machines or very high-tech machines (CT, MRI) to create pictures of the internal structures of the chest.
- Invasive testing involves inserting catheters into the blood vessels of the heart in order to get a closer look at the coronary arteries or to stimulate and test the electrical system of the heart.
- Laboratory tests include a number of blood tests used to diagnose and monitor treatment for heart disease.
Both John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus and John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus have a full range of diagnostic services available to identify cardiac problems. The clinical staff involved in the area of diagnostic testing is well trained and very experienced. John Muir Health prides itself on staff education and training. Our staff is proud of its advanced training. Many staff members hold special certifications indicating ongoing training in complex procedures. All staff meet or exceed the minimum requirements for emergency cardiac procedures.