Dennis, a patient in his 50’s, recently came to our practice for a stress test that his primary care physician ordered.  Dennis had no history of heart disease but did have multiple risk factors for it. One of our cardiologists read the stress test immediately and when it showed abnormalities we performed an echocardiogram That too was abnormal and our cardiologist spoke with Dennis’ primary care physician immediately. It was decided that Dennis needed a heart catheterization that very day.  Dennis was taken to the hospital where another one of our cardiologists performed the heart catheterization. The heart cath showed that Dennis had multiple blocked arteries that coronary artery bypass surgery.  The cardiothoracic surgeons were consulted and Dennis was referred for surgery on the same day. 

Dennis was to leave for Florida two days after his stress test.  Dennis may not have been able to have his stress test prior to his trip at the hospital due to scheduling.  Would Dennis have been okay vacationing in Florida with multi-coronary artery disease? Would Dennis have made it back home or would he have had a heart attack, perhaps a fatal one?

I am proud to be part of a practice that provides in-office imaging for its patients, and I know Dennis sure is glad we were able to act quickly on his behalf. There are a lot of people just like Dennis whose lives may be saved by being able to access the critically important tests cardiologists need to diagnose and treat heart disease.

Patricia Reed, RN

St. Louis MO