South Miami Heart Center Diagnostic Services

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late. Proper diagnosis can help prevent and treat many types of heart disease disorders and cardiovascular diseases. For superior cardiovascular disease or heart disease symptom diagnosis, consider South Miami Heart Center. We approach symptoms of heart disease and cardiovascular disease diagnosis with innovation and skill. Our six procedure rooms allow our physicians to diagnose and treat complex symptoms of heart disease and cardiovascular problems.

South Miami Heart Center is conveniently based in South Miami Hospital, giving patients access to a multidisciplinary team of medical experts. Several of our diagnostic services have met rigorous standards to achieve accreditation from independent credentialing organizations.

Diagnostic Options

At South Miami Heart Center, we can detect a broad range of cardiac or vascular problems, including symptoms of heart disease and other types of heart disease disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Our facility encompasses several specialty testing centers for the convenience of our patients.

Chest Pain Center

Our Chest Pain Center provides precise, rapid diagnosis of symptoms of heart disease and heart attacks. We were the first nongovernmental hospital in Miami-Dade County to be designated as an accredited Chest Pain Center. This diagnostic service is available on a 24/7 basis.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Interventional cardiologists at the Center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab, accredited in 2012 by the Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE), perform nearly 1,500 procedures annually, including diagnostic catheterizations for coronary and valvular disease. Catheterization is a procedure in which X-ray images are used to guide a catheter (a long, narrow tube) into a blood vessel to detect problems. The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis.

L. Austin Weeks Center for Cardiac Electrophysiology

Patients with irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias, benefit greatly from our accredited Center for Cardiac Electrophysiology. The Center uses the latest advances to study heart rhythm abnormalities, detect problems and define proper treatments.

Echocardiography Lab

The Echocardiography (ECHO) Lab at South Miami Heart Center is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). This ensures the highest level of safety and quality for patients undergoing ECHO testing. We provide several types of tests, including:

Echocardiogram (ECHO)

Echocardiograms, or transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), are noninvasive, painless tests that help physicians study your heart.. The test uses ultrasound, or high-pitched sound waves transmitted through a transducer that is moved around the chest over your heart to obtain images. As the sound waves bounce off internal structures, they produce echoes. The echoes are then transformed into images of your heart for your doctor to review. Echocardiography allows your doctor to study the blood flow through your heart valves, as well as the condition and size of the chambers of your heart . This test may accompany a stress test and an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

Performed by specially trained anesthesiologists and cardiologists, the TEE is an ECHO test that takes detailed images of your heart. In a TEE, an ultrasound transducer is attached to an endoscope and guided down the throat into the esophagus. This test enables your cardiologist to examine your heart valves and chambers very closely, without your lungs or ribs being in the way. It is helpful when clear images cannot be obtained through standard echocardiograms or when very detailed images are needed to make a diagnosis.

Stress echocardiogram

Echocardiograms are sometimes used in conjunction with stress tests. A stress echocardiogram is performed before and after exercise or after an injection of medication that make your heart beat harder and faster is given. Decreased function of the heart muscle during or after exercise can indicate coronary artery disease.

Doppler echocardiogram

Doppler examines blood flow through the heart vessels, valves and chambers. It is usually performed in conjunction with an echocardiogram or TEE.

Echocardiogram for Pacemaker Optimization

This test uses echocardiography images to give valuable information about pacemaker settings. This information can be used to improve the patient’s heart function.

Other diagnostic services available at South Miami Heart Center include:

Electrocardiography (EKG)

An EKG allows a technician to study and record the electrical currents produced by your beating heart. The test is painless and noninvasive.

Exercise Tolerance Testing/Stress Test

This test measures your heart’s reaction to strenuous activity. During the test, you ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill while an EKG records your heart’s responses. The test is also performed before and after you exercise. The EKG may be done in combination with a nuclear scan. A scan involves injecting a small amount of a radioactive substance into your bloodstream. Then, a special camera scans your heart to produce detailed images of your blood flow.

If you cannot exercise, your physician may suggest a Pharmacological Exercise Tolerance Test. This requires taking a medication that mimics your heart's response to exercise.

These are a few highlights of South Miami Heart Center’s extensive diagnostic services program. The Miami-Dade community benefits from our investment in technology and our association with some of the region’s best diagnosticians. Our range of diagnostic procedures are the first step in helping patients conquer cardiac and vascular diseases.

Patient Successes

Learn how South Miami Heart Center helps patients with different types of heart disease disorders live better lives.

Physician Referral

Get an online referral to a South Miami Heart Center physician or call the South Miami Heart Center Physician Referral line at 786-662-2222.