Other Cardiovascular Procedures

A transthoracic echocardiogram (echo) is an imaging test. It helps your doctor assess your heart. Here's how it works.

The ECG is a test that records electrical signals from your heart. The pattern of these signals can tell the healthcare provider if your heart is normal, under stress, or having electrical problems, strain, or damage.

Doppler ultrasound uses harmless sound waves to evaluate and create pictures of blood flow inside your blood vessels. This test can detect narrow or blocked arteries and veins due to an abnormality pressing on them or blood clots inside.

The Valsalva maneuver can help slow your heart when it's beating too fast.

Learn what you need to do to prepare for an angiography, and what occurs during the procedure.

Learn the possible risks associated with this procedure.

Watch how arteries in your heart become too narrowed and blocked, and how this procedure can restore blood flow.

This procedure uses a balloon-tipped catheter to open one or more arteries in your heart. After an artery is opened, a mesh stent may be placed to hold it open.

Learn how to prepare yourself for your angioplasty, and watch what occurs during the angioplasty and stenting procedures.

See how two types of this medical device are used to improve the health of your heart.

Learn the possible risks of angioplasty and stenting.

Become familiar with the medications you may receive and the restrictions you will have during your brief stay in the hospital.

Understand how you can avoid complications and safely recover from angioplasty.

Learn the importance of knowing the medications you have been prescribed and how to take them safely.

Learn what signs and symptoms are normal during your recovery, and which ones require immediate attention.

Watch how this possible complication of angioplasty develops, and how to recognize its signs and symptoms.

A coronary angiogram is a special X-ray test. It's done to find out if your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, where and by how much. An angiogram can help your doctor see if you need treatment such as angioplasty or stent, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or medical therapy. © AHA

Angioplasty opens blocked arteries and restores normal blood flow to your heart muscle. It's not major surgery. It's done by threading a catheter (thin tube) through a small puncture in a leg or arm artery to the heart. The catheter places a tiny balloon at the site of blockage in the artery. When the balloon is inflated, it pushes the plaque flat against the artery wall. This widens the artery and improves blood flow. © AHA

Dr. Clyde Yancy, former American Heart Association president, explains common procedures for heart attack victims.

Angiography is a special type of x-ray that allows your coronary arteries to be viewed and recorded on film. Your doctor can see if the blood vessels to your heart are clogged.

You may have had angina, dizziness, or other symptoms of heart trouble. To help diagnose your problem, your doctor may suggest having a cardiac catheterization. This common procedure is sometimes also used to treat a heart problem.

This is a procedure to look for blocked areas in the blood vessels that send blood to your heart.

Watch this video to learn the different types of pacemakers and how to prepare before the procedure.

Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Some patients who have been diagnosed with a slow heart rate, known as bradycardia, may require a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a device that is implanted in the chest and can correct a slow heartbeat.

The procedure for implanting a pacemaker is often routine and relatively easy for the patient. The health care team will tell the patient how to prepare for surgery and what to expect during the procedure.

Following the pacemaker implant procedure, the patient will stay in the hospital for one or two nights to make sure the wound is healing without complications and the device is working properly. Before discharging the patient, the health care team will provide instructions on how to care for the wound at home.

Most patients with a pacemaker can live a normal, active life. Patients do need to take some precautions such as carrying their medical ID card, which contains information about their device, and telling all of their heath care providers that they have a pacemaker.

Pacemaker identification wallet card. Cut this card out and keep in your wallet for use when you are traveling or away from home. © AHA

A pacemaker is a small device that sends electrical impulses to your heart to help control your heartbeat so your body gets blood and oxygen. © AHA

Watch this clip to understand how a pacemaker has helped Patsy after her heart attack.

You have a condition called heart failure. To treat your symptoms, you will get a special device to help keep your heart pumping normally.

A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart's electrical system beat at the right pace. Inserting the pacemaker into your body is called implantation. You stay awake during the procedure.

A pacemaker helps keep your heart from beating too slowly. This can help you feel better and have more energy. As you recover, follow all of the instructions you are given. This sheet can help.

"Pacemakers are reliable life-saving devices, but problems do rarely occur. It is important to understand why you have a pacemaker. This can also help you understand why it might fail."" "" "

The body generates electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat. In some people, those electrical impulses don't happen in a normal pattern, which can cause the heart to beat too slowly, too fast or irregularly. A very fast heartbeat can lead to ventricular tachycardia, a potentially life-threatening condition. In patients who are at risk for ventricular tachycardia, doctors often recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or ICD.

Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias can be life threatening and require an electrical shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm. Patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death may require an implantable cardiac defibrillator or ICD, which can deliver a life-saving shock if the heart starts to beat too fast or in a chaotic pattern.

With this procedure, a small device is placed in your chest. It monitors your heart's rhythm. If it detects that your heart isn't beating normally, it sends electricity to your heart to convert your heart rhythm to a normal one.

Watch this to learn answers to common concerns about getting a heart rhythm device.

The procedure for implanting an ICD is often routine and relatively easy for the patient. The health care team will tell the patient how to prepare for surgery and what to expect during the procedure.

Following the ICD implant procedure, the patient will stay in the hospital for one or two nights to make sure the wound is healing without complications and the device is working properly. Before discharging the patient, the healthcare team will provide instructions on how to care for the wound at home.

Most patients with an ICD can live a normal, active life. Patients do need to be aware of the types of shocks an ICD delivers and what to do if they experience a shock. There are also some precautions patients should take in order to reduce complications.

An ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin, just below the collarbone, or in your abdomen (stomach area) beneath your ribs. It reads the electrical signals in your heart to keep track of your heart rate. If the ICD detects an abnormal heart beat, it can deliver an electric pulse or shock to your heart. This helps restore a normal heartbeat. © AHA

The ICD monitors your heart rhythm. If the rhythm becomes too fast or too slow, the ICD sends out signals to bring the rhythm back to normal.

Watch this checklist to help understand what you can do to help your recovery from angioplasty at home.

Watch how femoral bypass surgery restores blood flow in a blocked artery.

Watch what you will need to do to help prepare for femoral artery bypass surgery.

See how you can help recover at home from your femoral artery bypass surgery.

Watch how this procedure clears blockages and restores blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.

Watch what you will need to do to prepare for your atherectomy.

See what to expect as you recover from the atherectomy procedure.

A stent is a tiny wire mesh tube that keeps a coronary artery open to increase blood flow to the heart. This reduces the chance of a heart attack. © AHA

This procedure removes plaque that's blocking a carotid artery. That's an artery that sends blood to your brain and your face. You have two of these arteries, one on each side of your neck.

Surgery to bypass a blocked leg artery can ease your symptoms. The bypass is done with a special tube that reroutes blood around a blockage.

You had a procedure known as peripheral artery bypass surgery. Follow these instructions on what to do after you get home.