Intermediate Screening

A consultation with a cardiologist

Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG)

When you have a resting ECG, you will be asked to lie down and relax for about five minutes. During this time, a series of electrodes, attached to your skin with small sticky pads, will be recording the electrical activity going on in your heart. The electrodes are just recording devices, which cannot send out any electrical impulses of their own, so you will not feel a thing. The information they gather is transmitted back to the ECG machine, which will produce a chart or electrocardiogram showing how the electrical activity changes over time.

Exercise Treadmill ECG: Echocardiogram (Ultrasound of the heart)

Evaluates the electrical activity of the heart, blood pressure and heart rate with exercise. It is a useful test to detect coronary artery disease (any blockages of the heart arteries) and response of heart rate or any electrical heart disturbances of the heart rhythm & blood pressure response to exercise and Max VO2. Please bring along with a pair of running shoes and jogging pants/shorts for the treadmill ECG. The test takes approximately 30 minutes. The exercise test is carried out by using the Bruce Protocol .The Bruce protocol is a standard test in cardiology and is comprised of multiple exercise stages of three minutes each. At each stage, the gradient and speed of the treadmill are elevated to increase work output, called METS. Stage 1 of the Bruce protocol is performed at 1.7 miles per hour and a 10% gradient. Stage 2 is 2.5 mph and 12%, gradient while Stage 3 goes to 3.4 mph and 14% gradient , Stage 4 goes to 4.2mph and a 16%gradient , Stage 5 does to 5mph and a 18% gradient .

Echocardiogram (Ultrasound of the heart):

Evaluates the heart structures by the use of ultrasound, or high frequency sound wave, which creates graphic images of the heart. The primary role of echocardiography in clinical practice is a non-invasive and costeffective answer to the structure and function of the heart muscle and valves. There is no preparation required for the test, it takes approximately 20-30 minutes and is painless. The Echocardiogram measures the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) which is a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it contracts.

Cardiovascular risk profile

• Cholesterol: Measure the risk of cardiovascular disease, the lower the cholesterol value gets, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• HDL Cholesterol : Measures 'good cholesterol' that helps protect from heart disease.
• LDL Cholesterol: Measures 'bad cholesterol' that collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing the blockages of artery.
• Triglycerides: important to human life and are the main form of fat in the body and are used to provide energy to the body. High triglyceride levels have been linked to a greater chance for heart disease and diabetes.

General Chemistry blood Profile, which includes

• The Kidney /Renal Profile consist of: (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Urea, Creatinine, Bicarbonate and estimated GFR)
• The Liver function Profile consists of: (Alkaline Phosphate, Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Total Protein, Bilirubin and Albumin)
• Fasting Blood Glucose (Sugar): for Diabetes
• C Reactive Protein (CRP): Blood test to identify inflammation or infection in the body.