Guest Column | Lee Health expands access for noninvasive cardiovascular services in Cape
Dr. Malissa Wood
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about one in five heart attacks are silent. The damage is done, but the person is not aware.
The chance of experiencing heart attacks and other forms of heart disease can be lessened by taking advantage of noninvasive cardiovascular tests and scans that can be used to help ensure the patient has the proper medicine and treatment if needed to prevent any future issues.
It’s important that every resident and visitor in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida have easy access to state-of-the-art noninvasive cardiovascular services to ensure optimal heart health for the entire community. To help accomplish that goal, we are thrilled to be adding twice as much space to the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Services Lab at Cape Coral Hospital.
Now open, it includes more access to noninvasive cardio services, tests and scans. The space will be located on the first floor of the hospital located at 636 Del Prado Blvd. S., in Cape Coral.
Why is more access to noninvasive cardiovascular services important?
More access to these types of services will help empower more Cape Coral residents and visitors to take control of their heart health and take steps to ensure a more heart healthy community.
Noninvasive cardiac testing helps identify and exclude various types of heart disease which could be the reason for a patient’s symptoms. They can also establish any future risk for heart disease. For example, these tests can help determine whether a patient would need a stent, medicine, monitoring, or a more invasive heart surgery.
How advanced are noninvasive cardio tests?
There have been incredible advances in noninvasive cardiology, including improved visualization of the heart and surrounding structures, and improved physiological markers of cardiac function and heart disease. These advances can provide physicians with the best possible information to guide a patient’s treatment.
Noninvasive cardiology services include external tests like electrocardiograms to monitor the heart rate, echocardiograms to check on blood flow or a stress test to simulate the heart’s response to external environmental pressures.
What types of noninvasive cardiac imaging tests are available?
While some procedures can be necessary to diagnose potential issues, other types of testing help determine preventive measures to avoid cardiac issues before they begin.
Available cardiac tests and procedures include:
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Stress echo
• Holter monitor
• Bubble study
• Stress testing
• Vascular ultrasound
• Carotid ultrasound
• Abdominal aorta ultrasound
• Peripheral arterial ultrasound
• Venous ultrasound
We’ll soon be able to offer:
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
• Cardioversion
• Loop recorder implantation
If you have questions about your heart health, share them with your primary care physician to consider the best steps to improve your heart health.
If you have questions or would like to learn more, please visit leehealth.org.
Dr. Malissa Wood is vice president and chief physician executive of the Lee Health Heart Institute.