Heart screening and imaging

The Dallas Valve Institute at our heart hospital uses advanced, state-of-the-art technology to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. To help us further evaluate various conditions, we offer an array of specialty screenings, diagnostic tools and diagnostic profiles.

Cerebrovascular profiles

Cerebrovascular profiles are performed to evaluate carotid artery and vertebral artery disease. Digital color-flow duplex imaging is used to detect aortic stenosis and stroke potential. Plaque characterization is performed to predict the risk of embolization and plaque ruptures.

Impotence profiles

Impotence profiles evaluate penile blood flow using pressure measurements. Both Doppler ultrasound imaging and graphic chart recordings are used to indicate the patency of the arteries. After the test, the team sends a complete report of your results and the interpretation to your physician within 24 hours.

Peripheral arterial profiles

Peripheral arterial profiles assess the arterial blood flow in the upper and lower extremities. Circulatory blockages are located with Doppler ultrasound imaging, pressure measurements and graphic pulsatility. Evaluations for hemodialysis access are also performed with the same methods.

Venous profiles

With venous profiles, specialists can detect venous thrombus or thrombophlebitis in the upper and lower extremities. By combining a color-flow Doppler ultrasound image with B-mode imaging, specialists can evaluate clot localization, venous flow, venous insufficiency, varicose veins and extremity swelling.

We are proud to provide a comprehensive heart screening program to locate cardiac problems before a cardiac event occurs. Heart testing can be expensive, especially since insurance companies typically don’t cover the costs unless you show serious symptoms, but this shouldn’t keep you from checking your cardiovascular health. HeartStrong is an affordable cash-pay tool that helps you avoid serious cardiac events.

This full-service heart screen includes five tests physicians believe most accurately screen for heart defects. They are intended for high-risk men and women without active symptoms or current heart symptoms.

This fast and efficient series of tests and procedures is an effective way to gauge your cardiovascular health. Many conditions can be treated quickly, easily, and comfortably when they are discovered early.

• 12-Lead electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An electrocardiogram measures your heart’s electrical activity. Small electrical sensors, called electrodes, are put on your skin to sense the electricity that begins in your heart, which can give doctors an idea of whether your heart is beating normally.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: This screening helps to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a weakened and bulging area in the aorta. A ruptured aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. The screening is done by ultrasound.
• Ankle brachial index (ABI): This screening is extremely reliable for diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) — a condition in which the arteries in your legs and ankles are narrowed, creating a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and poor circulation.
• Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT): This test is used to diagnose the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. The noninvasive test measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery and alerts physicians to any thickening while the patients are still asymptomatic.
• Computerized tomography (CT) coronary calcium scan: A cardiac CT scan for coronary calcium is a noninvasive way of obtaining information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.

Schedule an appointment for the HeartStrong program

The screening package typically takes about 90 minutes to complete, not including the follow-up session with a cardiologist. To make things more convenient for busy professionals, appointments are available during the following hours:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 7:00am - 8:00am
• Wednesday - 8:00am - 11:00am

These hours are subject to change, so please contact us directly for the most up-to-date information.

If you would like to learn more about the HeartStrong screening, you can contact the HeartStrong Nurse Navigator. The navigator will work with you throughout this process and will be present with you on the day of testing.