Heart Station

The Heart Station at Montgomery Hospital provides non-invasive diagnostic procedures to detect cardiovascular abnormalities and diseases on either an inpatient or outpatient basis including, but not limited to:

• Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG): An EKG records the electrical activity of the heart. Certain changes in the ECG tracing may indicate that the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood or abnormal heart rhythms.
• Stress Echocardiography: This test combines an ultrasound study of the heart with a walking treadmill stress test and allows the doctor to evaluate how the heart functions during exercise.
• Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: This test combines an ultrasound study of the heart with a drug-induced stress test and allows doctors to learn how the heart functions when it is made to work harder.
• Pharmacologic Stress Testing: This testing allows doctors to learn how well the heart functions when under stress. We "stress" the heart by administering medication to you. This testing is done while you lie on a table and is interpreted with the use of continuous EKG and nuclear imaging.
• Stress Testing: The stress test is an exercise ECG test which allows doctors to learn how well the heart functions when it is made to work harder. This test can help detect heart problems that may not be apparent at rest. An exercise ECG test is done while you walk on a treadmill and can be performed with or without nuclear imaging.
• Echocardiography: This test uses ultrasound waves to examine the heart. It is a safe and painless procedure that helps doctors diagnose a variety of heart problems. This test can be performed with contrast if ordered by your doctor.
• Transesophogeal Echocardiography (TEE): This test uses a tube through your throat with an ultrasound camera on the end to visualize the heart. These images are helpful in visualizing the heart and heart valves, evaluating blood flow through the heart, ruling out blood clots in the heart and/or the presence of an aneurysm.
• Holter Monitor: Holter monitoring is a continuous recording of your heart rate and rhythm, usually for 24 hours, while you go about your daily activities. We also ask you to keep a journal during this period of monitoring. It is a safe and painless procedure that allows doctors to relate your symptoms to your heart rhythm.
• Pacemaker Monitoring: Once a patient has a pacemaker implanted, it should be monitored regularly. We are able to provide safe and painfree testing via telephone and in our clinic.

The Heart Station is located on the 4th Floor of Montgomery Hospital.  For more information about testing, please call 610-270-2028.