Cardiology

Cardiologists in Plantation, Florida

Plantation General Hospital is always ready to provide the diagnostic heart care you need when you experience heart attack symptoms or receive a diagnosis of heart disease.

To learn more about heart care at Plantation General Hospital, please call our Consult-A-Nurse^® team at (954) 321-4099.

Heart screening and imaging

An accurate diagnosis is one of the first steps in combating heart disease. We offer a full spectrum of heart imaging procedures, in addition to our primary imaging services, to accurately identify your condition and find the best treatment option. Our heart imaging procedures include:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)—This procedure uses small electrodes that are placed on your skin to measure the electrical activity of the heart. The electrical activity sensed by the electrodes is translated onto a graph that allows your doctor to asses if your heart is beating normally.
• Echocardiogram (echo)—This imaging exam uses ultrasound imaging to view the size, shape and motion of the heart. Your physician will be able to view the heart's four chambers, valves, walls and blood vessels. There are multiple types of specialized echocardiograms:
  • Contrast echocardiogram—This type of echo uses a contrast agent, a solution injected through the vein that highlights an area being imaged, to create a higher resolution image of the heart and clearer visualization of blood flow.
  • Stress echocardiogram—A stress echo is an echocardiogram that is performed during a cardiac stress test.
  • Echocardiogram with Doppler ultrasound—This form of echo is aided by Doppler ultrasound to help heart specialists assess blood flow.
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)—This echo is performed by inserting the ultrasound probe down the throat to produce an unobstructed view of the heart by surpassing the ribs and lungs.
• Cardiac stress testing—This test uses heart imaging technology, such as EKG and echo, to monitor the heart's activity during times of stress, such as exercise. Your blood pressure and pulse are also closely monitored.

Echocardiography laboratory

At Plantation General Hospital, we have a dedicated echocardiography laboratory that is equipped with both transthoracic and transesophageal ultrasound systems. Our technology allows physicians to view imaging procedures performed at other facilities and even allows cardiologists to view from their offices or at home for expedited assessment and diagnosis.

The echocardiography laboratory is where we perform 2D echocardiograms and TEE tests.

Electrophysiology services

Electrophysiology is an area of cardiology that focuses on the heart's electrical system. When problems occur with the electrical system, it is called a heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. This can mean the heart is beating too fast, too slow or in an abnormal pattern.

Electrophysiology studies aim to find the source of the arrhythmia and are performed by inserting a catheter into the heart. Our cardiologists provide medical intervention to correct irregular heartbeats, including:

• Permanent or temporary pacemaker placement
• Implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD)

Heart attack

Knowing the signs of a heart attack and when to seek emergency care at the nearest ER is critical. The signs of a heart attack can differ between men and women, so it is important to educate yourself on all possible symptoms, which include:

• Heart attack symptoms in men
  • Chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes
  • Discomfort in the jaw, neck, shoulder, arms or back
  • Intense sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
• Heart attack symptoms in women
  • Unusual chest, stomach or abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
  • Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Cold sweats

Risk factors for heart attack

There are several risk factors that can contribute to your chances of experiencing a heart attack. Some of these are controllable and some or not. Risk factors to be aware of include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Obesity or being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• High blood sugar
• Age
• Family history

Being aware of these risk factors and talking with your physician about how to control them is one of the most proactive steps you can take in fighting off heart disease.