Cardiac & Pulmonary Services
Cardiac Testing at Big Trees MD
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At Big Trees MD, we offer a range of advanced cardiac testing services to ensure your heart and lung health is accurately assessed and monitored. Our state-of-the-art facility and physicians are here to provide you with reliable and comprehensive testing, even if you're not a member of our clinic.
Explore our services below.
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Cardiac Testing Services
VO2 Max or Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)
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WHAT IS VO2 MAX TESTING? VO2 Max testing or CPET is the gold standard measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness (aka how in shape you are). It's a crucial indicator of cardiovascular fitness and overall health. Specifically, it measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise and it also measures how one's body operates under an anaerobic state.  Low VO2max levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. Measuring the anaerobic state serves as a marker of endurance capacity and can help tailor exercise prescriptions for optimal training outcomes Unlike static tests that provide a snapshot of your health at rest, CPET evaluates your body's performance under stress, offering invaluable insights into your functional capacity and potential limitations.
WHY IS VO2 MAX TESTING IMPORTANT? 1. Early Detection: Find potential heart and lung problems before they become serious. Cardiovascular disease takes more lives than ALL cancer diagnoses combined. Read that again. Our CPET aids in the diagnosis and classification of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart valve concerns. Our CPET assesses a person's functional capacity and identifies abnormal responses to exercise. 2. Personalized Fitness Plans: Tailor your exercise routine to your body's needs. A CPET serves as a valuable tool for exercise prescription and monitoring. We identify individual training zones based on physiological parameters and are then able to optimizes the efficacy and safety of exercise routines, whether for athletic performance enhancement or chronic disease management. A CPET is the gold standard for diagnosing the cause of unexplained exercise limitations. It can distinguish between cardiac causes, pulmonary causes, and metabolic causes. Directly measured peak VO2 - the gold standard for determining cardiorespiratory fitness - is the most robust predictor of cardiovascular mortality as well as all-cause mortality in all populations, healthy or with disease. A CPET allows for the earliest detection of atherosclerosis - coronary microvascular dysfunction - providing for an opportunity to intervene early in the subclinical atherosclerosis process with exercise and/or medical therapy. Direct and accurate measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness also allows for precise exercise prescriptions and serial testing to monitor disease response to lifestyle and pharmacologic treatment.
HOW DOES VO2 MAX TESTING WORK? During the cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET), you will exercise on a stationary bicycle while wearing a specialized mask that measures gas exchange. As you are pedaling, the test progressively increases in intensity, based on your body and health history. As you are testing, your heart rate, blood pressure, EKG, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production are continuously monitored.
WHO SHOULD GET VO2 MAX TESTING? - Anyone Interested in Health: It's never too early or too late to know your health status. - Athletes: Optimize your training. - People with Health Concerns Taking a VO2 Max test is a simple, effective way to invest in your health. Schedule your test now and take the first step towards a healthier, longer life.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE TEST? Your CPET takes about an hour. We recommend 1) No food, caffeine, tobacco products, or liquids, except water, for 3 hours prior to CPET. 2) Water may be consumed as needed. Feel free to bring a water bottle. 3) Do not exercise 5 hours prior to test. 4) If you use an inhaler please bring it to the test. 5) Medications may be taken as usual, unless directed otherwise by your physician. 6) Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing and sneakers for cycling. Sports bras for women suggested.
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Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
What is an EKG?
An EKG records the electrical activity of your heart over a period of time. It's a simple, non-invasive test that helps detect irregularities in your heart's rhythm and structure.
Why Choose Our EKG Service?
- Quick and painless procedure
- Immediate results and interpretation
- Expert analysis by our physicians.
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Lung Health Services
Spirometry
What is Spirometry?
Spirometry is a common test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring the amount and speed of air you can inhale and exhale.
Advantages of Spirometry Testing:
- Essential for diagnosing conditions like asthma, COPD, and other respiratory issues
- Helps monitor lung function and response to treatment
- Simple and quick test with immediate results
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