Proudly Part of Privia Health
*Procedures are temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19
Every Monday, a Diagnostic Partners technician and our staff work together to provide the following ultrasounds. We aim to provide the highest quality of care and convenience possible to our patients by offering these exams in our own office! Please feel free to ask us any questions if we have recommended any of the following procedures:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease process that starts early in life and results in diminished circulation throughout the body over time. It is the leading cause of death in men & women and the #1 cost of the healthcare system. They key to a healthy, productive life is to identify the problem early and to treat it aggressively before a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, dementia & loss in sexual function occur. Our goal is to keep you healthy, out of the hospital and to minimize long-term costs for you and the healthcare system.
The Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) is a safe, non-invasive test that measures how well your heart and lungs function during exercise. We will use this information to:
You will pedal a stationary exercise bicycle for approximately 15 minutes, starting with a warm up, increasing in difficulty as the test progresses. EKG electrodes will monitor and analyze your heart rhythms. A mask will monitor your breathing (tell the technician if you are claustrophobic). A blood pressure cuff on your arm will monitor your blood pressure.
Asthma & COPD are common respiratory disorders. Both can make it difficult to breath (shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and chronic cough). Smoking causes a slow, gradual decline in lung function. A well-performed Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) can provide insight into the health of your lungs and quantify disease severity. Damage to your lungs cannot be reversed. A proper diagnosis and treatment are important to maintain a high quality of life.
A PFT is composed of several different test procedures and lasts approximately 45 minutes. During each procedure, you will be asked to breath through a mouthpiece. Some of the procedures include:
A combined CPET and PFT is the most accurate noninvasive test to assess heart and lung function at rest as well as during exercise. It is the gold standard to quantify exercise capacity (which determines how long you live) and to determine the exact mechanism of exercise intolerance (symptoms). The total time required to perform both a CPET and PFT is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
It is extremely important that you listen carefully to the technician, and give your best effort to accurately assess your condition. If you feel that you cannot continue the test, tell the technician and the test will be stopped.
Putting forth an excellent effort will help to ensure that we get the most precise data for the best possible treatments to manage your condition.
The stationary bike is an excellent alternative to the traditional treadmill exercise test. The exercise bike places less stress on your joints and eliminates safety concerns if you have balance difficulties.
Most people are able to perform a CPET and PFT without complications unless you are unable to walk or stand. Be sure to give your best effort to ensure the most accurate test results.
On the day of the test….