Echocardiography, often called an "echo," is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound to create images of your heart, helping assess its function and diagnose conditions. It evaluates how well your heart pumps blood, examines valve structure and function, detects heart diseases like heart failure and congenital defects, and monitors condition progression over time. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE), a transducer is placed on your chest, and Transesophageal Echocardiography (TOE), where the transducer is guided down your esophagus for more detailed images. Echocardiography is vital for understanding and managing heart health; consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Exercise stress echocardiography is a test that evaluates how well your heart functions under physical stress. It combines an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography) with exercise on a treadmill. This test helps detect heart problems that may not be apparent when the heart is at rest. During the procedure, your heart's images are taken before and after exercise to see how it responds to increased activity. It's used to diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease, assess the effectiveness of treatments, and determine safe levels of exercise for heart patients. The test is non-invasive, generally safe, and provides valuable information about your heart health.

A Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records your heart's electrical activity, typically over 24 to 48 hours, to detect irregular heart rhythms that may not show up during a standard ECG in a doctor's office. You wear the monitor as you go about your daily activities, and it captures detailed data about your heart's performance throughout the day and night. This information helps your cardiologist diagnose conditions like arrhythmias, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, and understand symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness. The test is non-invasive and allows for extended monitoring to ensure a comprehensive assessment of your heart health.

Coronary angiography and angioplasty are procedures used to diagnose and treat heart conditions. Coronary angiography is an imaging test that uses a special dye and X-rays to visualize the inside of your coronary arteries, helping doctors identify blockages or narrowing. If a blockage is found, angioplasty may be performed. Angioplasty involves inserting a thin tube with a balloon into the blocked artery. The balloon is then inflated to widen the artery and restore blood flow. A stent (a small wire mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open. These procedures are minimally invasive and crucial for diagnosing and managing coronary artery disease, improving blood flow, and reducing heart-related symptoms.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly (aortic valve stenosis). Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVI is performed through small incisions, usually in the groin. A new valve is inserted via a catheter and expanded to take over the function of the damaged valve. This procedure can significantly improve symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of heart failure.

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure is a minimally invasive procedure used to close a small opening in the heart that didn't seal naturally after birth. This hole, called a PFO, can sometimes allow blood clots to pass from one side of the heart to the other, potentially leading to strokes or other complications. During the procedure, a device is guided through a catheter from a vein in the groin to the heart to seal the opening. PFO closure is typically recommended for patients who have had unexplained strokes or other related issues. This procedure helps reduce the risk of future strokes and improve overall heart health.

A pacemaker is a small implantable device that helps regulate the heart’s rhythm when it beats too slowly or irregularly. It works by monitoring the heart’s electrical activity and delivering gentle electrical impulses when needed to maintain an appropriate heart rate. Pacemakers are commonly recommended for conditions such as symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart rate), heart block, sinus node dysfunction, and certain rhythm disorders that cause dizziness, fatigue, fainting, or shortness of breath. Implantation is a routine procedure that can significantly improve symptoms, quality of life, and, in some cases, long-term health outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation, the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder. During the procedure, thin catheters are guided through the blood vessels to the heart, where targeted energy is used to isolate or eliminate areas responsible for triggering and maintaining AF. AF ablation may be recommended for patients who continue to experience symptoms such as palpitations, breathlessness, fatigue, or reduced exercise capacity despite medication, or for those who prefer a rhythm-control strategy. The goal is to reduce or eliminate episodes of AF, improve quality of life, and help restore a normal heart rhythm.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), commonly known by the brand name MitraClip, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat significant mitral regurgitation (a leaking mitral valve). Through a small catheter inserted via a vein in the leg, a clip is positioned on the mitral valve to reduce the leak and improve the valve’s function, without the need for open-heart surgery. TEER may be recommended for patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation who are at increased risk for surgery or who have heart failure related to valve dysfunction. By reducing the severity of the leak, the procedure can improve symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue, enhance quality of life, and reduce hospitalisations for heart failure.