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Cardiac Care

Provider reading EKG results

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Level II Cardiac Center

When it comes to cardiac emergencies and strokes, timely treatment is the key to success. It can be the difference between life and death. In 2011, the Washington State Emergency Cardiac and Stroke (ECS) System was established to improve patient outcomes by changing the way cardiac and stroke patients are triaged and transported. The goal of the ECS System is to improve patient outcomes by reducing time to treatment and getting patients into a dedicated system of comprehensive care with identified cardiac- and stroke-specific protocols. Washington is the only state in the country to have a statewide system for cardiac and stroke care.

Through this program, WhidbeyHealth Medical Center has earned the status of Level II Cardiac Center and Level III Stroke Center. That means whether a patient is transported via ambulance or by family/friends, WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and WhidbeyHealth EMS have the necessary protocols in place to provide the best, most timely care possible. In some cases, that might require an immediate transfer to a facility with more advanced cardiac treatment capabilities. In other cases, a patient might bypass WhidbeyHealth Medical Center altogether and be transported directly to a facility via EMS or helicopter transport through our partnership with Life Flight.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

If you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important part of your recovery. It can improve your ability to carry out activities of daily life, while reducing your heart disease risk factors, improving quality of life and personal confidence, and increasing your ability to manage your disease. It can help grow strength, build heart-healthy habits, and reduce the risk of future cardiac events.

Each year, roughly 800,000 Americans have a heart attack. For 25% of them, it’s not their first. Cardiac Rehabilitation can help prevent a second heart attack and decrease the risk of death over one to three years after taking part in the program. However, only about 20% of those eligible each year enroll in a cardiac rehab program.

Speak to your provider if you have experienced:

  • Heart Attack
  • Angina Pectoris
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Valvular Heart Disease
  • Heart Failure
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
  • Coronary Artery Stent
  • Heart Transplant
  • Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Cardiac Rehabilitation at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center is a medically supervised program designed to fit your needs and meet your goals. Program participants receive an individualized exercise regimen based on their specific condition and physical ability. Patients also participate in supervised exercise sessions with a group of other participants with similar conditions.

In addition to exercise, education is a key component of the program. Patients learn how to make heart-healthy choices, manage and reduce risk factors and recognize the signs and symptoms that need medical attention.

Our rehab team will work closely with you and your cardiologist, regardless of where they are located, to develop a customized program tailored to your specific needs.

Having the ability to complete your rehabilitation locally lowers the stress of ferry schedules and travel and makes it possible for your family member to attend with you.

Cardiac Rehab Treadmill

(360) 678-7619

Option 2 – Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab Services
Fax: (360) 678-7667

Coronary Artery Scan

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring

With the addition of the new, state-of-the-art Siemens SOMATOM go.Top CT, WhidbeyHealth now has the ability to offer Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring.

CAC scoring is a diagnostic procedure that assesses the level of calcium deposits within the coronary arteries – crucial blood vessels supplying the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. This scoring system provides valuable insights into the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in artery walls. By utilizing non-invasive imaging through CT scans, physicians can accurately visualize and quantify these calcium deposits. The severity of calcification is then evaluated using a scoring system, which considers factors such as the density and distribution of the calcium deposits.

CAC scoring does not directly assess the presence of non-calcified plaque or other factors that may contribute to cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it is often used in conjunction with other risk assessment tools and clinical evaluation to provide a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk to help healthcare providers identify individuals who may be at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Because the test emits a low dose of radiation, a referral from your primary care provider is required. The test isn’t always covered by insurance but is available at a relatively low cost ($150).

Our Providers

Cardiac Stress Testing

Simply put, cardiac stress testing can indicate how well your cardiovascular system is working. The general goal of a stress test is to assess the heart’s response to increasing exercise using continuous EKG monitoring or, in some cases, with added echocardiographic imaging. Participants walk on a treadmill, starting at a low speed with minimal incline, with increases in speed and elevation that result in increases in monitored heart rate and blood pressure. The goal is for each patient to reach a near-maximal heart rate for their age over the course of several minutes, at which point the combination of symptoms, EKG response and changes in the ultrasound image pattern can reveal information regarding the adequacy of blood supply to the heart muscle. For patients who cannot walk safely on the treadmill or who cannot raise their heart rate adequately, a graded infusion of a substance that mimics exercise can be used to obtain similar information.

Cardiac stress testing is extremely safe and always closely monitored by a medical professional. Results from your test will be shared with your provider who will provide you with any next steps.

Cardiac Stress Test
Man with CAM Monitor adhered to his chest

Ambulatory Rhythm Monitoring

An EKG records the electrical signals from your heart for 12 seconds, creating something like a “snapshot” of the pattern. Sometimes, abnormal heart rhythms happen intermittently or only under specific conditions. In these situations, more extended, continuous monitoring of cardiac rhythm is needed to evaluate intermittent symptoms, such as palpitations (heart “flutters”), lightheadedness or fully passing out, or to monitor for the occurrence and frequency of abnormal heart rhythms.

In the past, patients who needed this type of monitoring were required to wear the same kind of EKG electrode patches on their chests that were connected by wires to a small monitor box that was either clipped to the waistband or carried in a small bag. Thankfully, WhidbeyHealth uses a newer, more patient-friendly technology to record this information without any wires or connections to an additional external monitor. The device is called a “CAM Patch” ambulatory rhythm monitor. This small device is about 1” wide and 4” long and has an adhesive backing that is placed on the center of the sternum (chest bone) and worn for three to 14 days.

If appropriate, your provider will place an order, and you will be scheduled to have the patch put on at our MAC clinic at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center. At that time, you will be registered with the company (BardyDx) that provides the monitors and instructed on how to activate the device when you experience symptoms that could be relevant (for example palpitations, chest discomfort, lightheadedness, etc). Typically, the device is worn for the prescribed period then removed by the patient. The device is then sent to BardyDx in a package provided for this purpose, where it is processed by a technician and reviewed by a Cardiologist. If a patient experiences a major symptom, such as transient loss of consciousness, the patient can come in after recovery during the next open MAC clinic session and the data collected by the device can be downloaded and sent to BardyDx via the internet, and an accelerated evaluation will be provided. Even when mailed by the patient to BardyDx, the data is analyzed and reviewed in as timely a manner as possible, and the results sent to the referring provider for review and appropriate action.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a fast, simple and painless test that records the electrical activity in your heart to help diagnose potential issues. Every heartbeat is triggered by an electrical signal that starts at the top of the heart and travels to the bottom of the heart. When there are problems with the heart, those electrical signals can be modified or disrupted.

If you have a family history of heart disease, your provider may also order an EKG to look for early signs of heart disease. No matter your age, it’s important to be aware of any symptoms that may indicate a heart problem and talk with a provider about scheduling an EKG.

Whether your referral is from a WhidbeyHealth provider or someone located off-island, you can have your EKG performed at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and stay close to home.

Why would my provider order an EKG?

  • Presence of one or more of the following symptoms: chest pain, dizziness or confusion, heart palpitations, rapid pulse, shortness of break, fatigue or weakness.
  • To detect abnormal heart rhythms, including a recent or ongoing heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), coronary artery blockage, or areas of damaged heart muscle (from a prior heart attack).
  • To monitor recovery from a heart attack, progression of heart disease, or the effectiveness of certain medications or a cardiac device.
  • To look for hidden heart disease in patients about to undergo surgery.

What to expect during an EKG

  • An EKG is a non-invasive, pain-free test that doesn’t require any special preparation.
  • Electrodes are attached by small adhesive patches to various locations on your body including your chest, arm and leg.
  • Sensors in the pads detect the electrical activity of your heart.
  • The test is performed while you lie still on your back.
  • Results are recorded then interpreted or read by a physician and sent to your provider.
  • The test usually takes about 10 minutes.
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram

Like an EKG, an echocardiogram is used to detect and diagnose heart problems. While an EKG measures the electrical signals from the heart, an echocardiogram uses ultrasound to check the structure and function of the heart chambers and valves. It may be performed as part of a routine exam, or your provider may order one if you have symptoms that may indicate cardiac disease, such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Dizziness/Fainting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Presence of a heart murmur or change in an existing murmur

While there are many types of echocardiograms, the most common type is performed outside the body using a hand-held wand with a small amount of gel. The wand is placed on the chest and sends sound waves to the heart. Those sound waves bounce off different structures in the heart and produce a moving picture that shows the heart’s size and shape as well as blood flow through the heart chambers and valves. Once the data is recorded, the study is reviewed by a Cardiologist with advanced expertise in interpretation, and a report is sent to your referring provider and copied into your electronic health record. This type of test is considered to be without significant risks, pain or side effects.

Whether your referral is from a WhidbeyHealth provider or someone located off-island, you can have your echocardiogram performed at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and stay close to home.

Community Connection

As a Public Hospital District, WhidbeyHealth is owned by the taxpayers of Whidbey Island, and we are committed to providing local access to quality health care.

Comprehensive Care

WhidbeyHealth offers a broad range of flexible, patient-centric care in more than 25 service areas with convenient locations across the entire island from Oak Harbor to Clinton.

Close to Home

An exceptional team supports a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services so our community doesn’t have to travel off-island for many of their healthcare needs.

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