EKG and exercise EKG

The EKG or electrocardiogram is normally used to assess cardiac function. It can be used to diagnose or rule out heart conditions such as impaired coronary circulation or cardiac arrhythmia. During an EKG, the electrical activity of the heart is picked up by electrodes on the skin and fed into a computer. One of the most common ways of assessing cardiac capacity in person with heart conditions, as well as amateur and professional athletes, is the exercise or stress EKG, which is performed under conditions of defined physical activity on the bicycle ergometer.

Sonography

Diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound) is a very accurate method of imaging internal organs (such as the liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys, prostate, uterus and thyroid), blood vessels and the musculoskeletal system. It is fast and completely painless, and provides important and detailed information about the structure and functioning of internal organs. There is no exposure to X rays or ionizing radiation, since the images are obtained by means of sound waves, which are harmless to the body. The high-performance Siemens G40 Kardio ultrasonography apparatus used in our clinic allows for a large number of different diagnostic methods.

Special ultrasound examination enables us to assess the condition and function of arteries and veins. The high image resolution of our state-of-the-art ultrasound machine (Siemens G40 Kardio) allows us to measure the thickness of the inside walls of the carotid arteries (intima-media complex). This measurement gives a precise assessment of the individual’s risk of developing arteriosclerosis, and thus allows us to begin preventive measures before the disease actually manifests. In cases where cardiovascular disease is suspected, it is also possible to assess the speed of blood flow in the blood vessels non-invasively by means of colour-coded duplex sonography. Blockages such as deep vein thrombosis can also be diagnosed by this method.

Cardiac sonography

A specialized ultrasound transducer allows the doctor to examine the heart through the chest wall, in order to assess structural changes to heart muscle, insufficiency or narrowing of heart valves, and general cardiac function. Colour-coded duplex sonography, which measures blood volumes and flow rates, also provides a great deal of information about the health of the heart without subjecting patients to invasive procedures.

Doppler measurement of arterial occlusion pressure can be used to determine whether any blood flow impairment in arms or legs exists or is likely to develop. This is done applying a blood pressure cuff and passing a transducer over certain anatomical points of the body to measure blood flow sounds. The procedure is painless and absolutely risk-free.

Lung function measurement

Measurement of lung function by means of a simple tool called a spirometer provides a wide range of information about lung health, including lung volume and changes in the amount of air breathed in and out that may be associated certain diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, nicotine dependency, etc. This test takes about 10 minutes. It is simple and painless and yields data that may be of critical importance for patient health.

Long-term blood pressure monitoring

Effective management of high blood pressure is essential in order to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and certain eye disorders. Because high blood pressure is not painful, it often goes unrecognized for far too long. For this reason it is very important that blood pressure be measured regularly. In order to accurately diagnosis hypertension, or to determine whether treatment is producing the desired results, we often recommend monitoring of blood pressure over a 24-hour period. The patient is given a small device that can be worn on the belt. It automatically measures blood at regular intervals throughout the day and stores the data for subsequent analysis by the doctor. The information allows the doctor to recommend the best treatment for optimum blood pressure management.

Laboratory tests

To assist in accurate diagnosis as well as for assessment of the individual risk of developing a particular disorder at some point in one’s life, sophisticated blood analysis and other laboratory tests are often indispensable. Along with the more common tests such as blood count, liver and pancreatic markers, renal enzymes, blood lipids and blood salts, testing may also include less common parameters such as tumor markers, trace elements or hormone analysis. Samples taken in our clinic are sent to a number of specialized medical laboratory institutes all over Germany, with whom we have developed close working relationships, for analysis. Analyses of important lab tests used in emergency situations, such as the troponin test to rule out heart attack, the D-dimer test to rule out lung embolism, or the urine strip test, are performed in our clinic.