UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Services at UPMC Jameson

Heart Tests at UPMC Jameson

• Echocardiogram (echo) — a test that takes pictures of the heart using sound waves.
• Dobutamine echo — this test uses a shot of stimulant medicine to simulate exercise. Doctors may choose this test if you can't walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike.
• Stress echo — this test uses ultrasound to measure the heart at rest, and while you work out on the treadmill.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) — a test that checks the heart’s electrical activity.
• Holter monitor — this test involves wearing a small device that records your heart rhythm for 24 hours.
• Nuclear stress test — a test that measures the heart’s response while you work out on a treadmill. Doctors urge all people age 50 and older have this test. Other heart disease risks or symptoms may prompt your doctor to order a stress test at a younger age.
• Chemical stress test — this test uses a stimulant shot to make the heart work as it would during exercise. Doctors may choose this test if you can't have the treadmill stress test.

Cardiac Rehab

After a heart attack, heart procedure, or other event, your doctor may order a few weeks of cardiac rehab.

Rehab at UPMC Jameson is a medically-managed program to help you:

• Strengthen your heart and lungs.
• Improve your physical, mental, and social function.
• Regain your health after a cardiac event or treatment.

We offer rehab at the Jameson Center for Cardiac Health on Wilmington Road.

What we offer at cardiac rehab

• Nutrition counseling.
• Exercise instruction and oversight.
• Heart disease risk assessment: high blood pressure, high cholesterol,obesity, diabetes,smoking,idle lifestyle.
• Emotional guidance and support.
• Guidance on when to return to work and other daily tasks.
• Assessment of physical limits and how to improve your strength.
• Medication counseling.

Learn more about cardiac rehab at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.

Heart Catheterization

UPMC Jameson offers catheterizations to both diagnose and treat heart problems.

• A diagnostic heart cath is an in-depth study of the function of your heart and valves. Doctors can view live and recorded digital video of your heart to diagnose any problems and design a treatment plan.
• Angioplasty to treat heart disease takes the diagnostic study a step further by inserting a stent to reopen clogged arteries.

Risk levels for heart cath procedures

All heart caths we perform at UPMC Jameson must meet “low risk” criteria as mandated by the Pa. Department of Health.

If we assess you as a higher risk, we'll refer you to a tertiary hospital such as UPMC Passavant or UPMC Presbyterian.

We transfer people:

• At high risk for a heart cath or angioplasty to UPMC Passavant.
• With a post-cath diagnosis that needs immediate treatment to UPMC Passavant or UPMC Presbyterian.

Learn more about heart catheterization from UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.

Heart Testing Lab

The invasive lab at UPMC Jameson has the latest diagnostic imaging devices and monitoring equipment.

We perform diagnostic studies that require:

• Digital fluoroscopic
• Cine
• Cut film imaging

Procedures include:

• Angiography
• Angioplasty
• Arthrography
• Biopsies
• Embolization
• Filter placements
• Nephrostomy
• Stent placements
• Thrombolysis
• Vertebroplasty
• X-rays and treatment of blocked bile ducts

UPMC Jameson offers the following screenings and treatments for vein and artery conditions:

• Amputations
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Catheter procedures
• Dialysis access
• Femoral endarterectomy
• Head and neck vein angiography
• Kidney arteriography and angio/stenting
• Lower-limb angio and stenting
• Medicine
• Placement of tunneled dialysis catheters
• Percutaneous dialysis
• Varicose vein treatments
• Vascular surgery
• Vena cava filter placement and removal
• Visceral arteriography and stenting

Learn more about vein diseases and treatments from UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.