Health Star Alliance
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Cardiology ★
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Health Star Alliance multi-disciplinary professionals utilize various cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment procedures. Our skilled cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and imaging teams provide the level of cardiac care you deserve, whether common or complex conditions. Avoiding the development of heart and blood vessel disease can be a matter of lowering risk factors, such as smoking and excess weight. Today’s accurate technology, equipment and diagnostic tests are readily accessible at Health Star Alliance facilities, if heart related issues arise. Among these are Coronary Calcium Score (CCS), Coronary CT Angiography (CTA), Echocardiography, Stress Tests and Vascular Ultrasound.
CT Angiography
Computerized Tomographic Angiography, or CT Angiography, is a test that combines complex x-rays with computers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to generate multidimensional views of blood vessels throughout the body. These areas include the heart, abdomen, brain, legs and lungs. The procedure is especially useful in the following ways: detecting diseases and aneurysms in the aorta, evaluating atherosclerosis that can cause a stroke (in the neck, legs and heart), viewing injuries to major arteries throughout the body and aiding surgeons in implanting stents. In addition, CT Angiography can image tumors, organ ruptures and buildup of fluids. Contrast dye is injected into the blood vessels to better view results. The procedure is less invasive than a traditional angiogram, and advanced to an MRI for vascular imaging.
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Echocardiography
This test uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce images which evaluate the functioning of a person’s blood vessels, chambers and valves. It provides a real-time view of the blood flow into the heart, through the heart and from the heart. The test can ensure the heart is pumping blood well, and detect diseases that can affect the heart muscle. It can also find causes of chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart disease and other problems. A complete echocardiogram includes the Doppler pulsed wave examination and Doppler color flow image.
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Nuclear Imaging
Nuclear medicine produces not only a sharp image of an organ, but shows whether it is working properly. Different types of tissue absorb radioactive tracers (low-level radioactive chemicals) and levels of radiation emitted from these areas are emitted to make a diagnosis. The amount of radiation emitted corresponds to the metabolic activity of the organ or body part and how well it functions. Other imaging techniques provide structural body data, but nuclear imaging—focusing on functional information for various body areas—allows faster, earlier diagnosis.
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Vascular Ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound (also called sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves—transmitted through tissues—to view veins and arteries. It can detect abnormalities such as blockages to blood flow and unusual masses such as tumors. Doppler ultrasound, a special technique, is used to measure the blood flow through a blood vessel.
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Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Health Star Alliance heart and vascular facilities provide many comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options such as Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Imaging. Our board certified cardiologists perform Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, a specialized area which images organs and body functions through the emission of radioactive materials given to the patient. The radioactive materials are given orally, in a pill form, or through an intravenous injection. Nuclear medicine evaluation can determine kidney, cardiac and thyroid function and diagnose diseases such as cancer, bone fracture, infection, arthritis and other tumors. Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Imaging exams are performed at three convenient locations throughout the DFW Metroplex - Plano, Fort Worth and Grapevine.
Stress Echocardiogram
Health Star Alliance providers and facilities also perform Stress Echochardiogram testing. Stress tests are recommended when there is a moderate risk for ischemic heart disease. Careful monitoring and preventative measures may reduce the chance of heart attack or failure when certain heart and vascular conditions are detected. Stress echocardiogram studies are offered at convenient locations throughout the DFW Metroplex.
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Coronary Calcium Score (CCS)
Health Star Alliance heart and vascular facilities provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for your patients’ heart health needs. Our specialists utilize diagnostic tools, treatments and educational programs to work together toward a goal of ensuring your patients receive complete heart health care. Our board certified cardiologists perform Coronary Calcium Score (CCS) which visualizes hard calcified plaque and acts as a screening tool. The higher the score, the more plaque build-up and the more aggressive physicians need to be with patients’ heart evaluation and care. Health Star Alliance currently offers CCS exams at three convenient locations throughout the DFW Metroplex – Plano, Fort Worth and Grapevine.
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