Cardiac Testing

The TM Flow Test

The TM Flow System is a valuable tool for assessing vascular health and the autonomic nervous system. The TM Flow test is non-invasive and does not require you to get on a bicycle or treadmill during testing. Data for the test is obtained using several different methods, including plethysmography, reverse iontophoresis, valsalva maneuvers, and traditional blood pressure testing on both the lower and upper extremities. Data is gathered over the course of about 10 minutes of the test and then used to give reliable assessments of several important aspects of your cardiovascular and cardiac nervous system:

1. Cardiac autonomic assessment is a type of evaluation that examines the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular functions. The autonomic nervous system consists of two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response). These branches work together to maintain cardiovascular homeostasis.

2. Sudomotor testing is a diagnostic evaluation used to assess the function of the sweat glands and the sympathetic nervous system, particularly in the context of autonomic nervous system disorders. The autonomic nervous system controls various involuntary bodily functions, including sweating (sudomotor function), heart rate, and blood pressure regulation.

3. ABI testing stands for Ankle-Brachial Index testing. It's a simple and non-invasive test used to assess peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, usually the legs.

4. Endothelium testing, also known as endothelial function testing, refers to a group of diagnostic assessments used to evaluate the health and function of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. The endothelium plays a crucial role in regulating vascular tone, blood flow, coagulation, and immune response. Dysfunction of the endothelium is associated with various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The TM Flow test is recommended to patients who suffer from any of these:

• Syncope
• Postural tachycardia syndrome or POTS
• Resting tachycardia or palpitations
• Diabetes
• Chronic pain in the feet
• Numbness in the feet or hands
• Sleep Apnea
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia

The reliable data collected from testing leads to actionable medical advice from your provider that helps improve clinical outcomes and support your goals for increasing not only life-span, but health-span as well. We at Hill Family Medicine believe that non-invasive and reliable testing systems like the TM Flow are the future of medicine. They fit into our overall goal of detecting illness and disease early on in order to prevent them from progressing, giving you the best chance of a long, healthy life.

Contact us today or discuss TM Flow testing at your next annual physical.