Specialist | Hong Kong Asia Heart Centre

The ECG is used to assess heart function. Patient whose complains of chest pain or shortness of breath will often have an ECG as one of the first tests to help determine if there is an acute myocardial infarction or heart attack present. Even if there is no heart attack, the ECG can help decide whether the pain is due to angina or narrowing of blood vessels to the heart muscle (atherosclerosis). It is important to realize that an initial ECG may be normal even if there is heart disease present. Serial ECGs may be needed over time to find abnormality.Suitability:This investigation is suitable for all of you.Proccess:We will first ask you to lie flat on the examination bed and roll up your top above your chest.Before the examination, the nurse will stick some electrodes over your chest area, your hands and feet.You need to lie still and not to talk, breath normally and relax during ECG recording. This may help us to obtain an accurate record.Benefits:An electrocardiogram is a safe, painless test. There are no known risks associated with the ECG. The benefit of an ECG is that it helps your doctor better understand how your heart is working or how medications or a pacemaker affect your heart.Limitations:The ECG is a static picture, it may not reflect severe underlying heart problems at a time when the patient is not having any symptoms. The most common example of this is in a patient with a history of intermittent chest pain due to severe underlying coronary artery disease. This patient may have an entirely normal ECG at a time when he or she is not experiencing any symptoms. In such instances, the ECG recorded during an exercise stress test may reflect the underlying abnormalities while the ECG taken at rest may be normal.

This test helps doctors:Assess for heart disease, especially for diagnosing coronary heart diseasePhysical evaluation for patients with heart diseaseSuitability:It is suitable for everyone, unless the patient is having mobility impairment.Patients with chest pain during exercise, syncope or loss of consciousness.Proccess:When the test starts, you will be walking on the treadmill at a slow speed. Every 2 to 3 minutes you will have to walk faster and more uphill. The treadmill will stop if your heartbeat reaches a certain rate, if you become very short of breath, having chest pain or if the doctor sees a problem with the rhythm of your heart.Your doctor and nurse will closely monitor your ECG and blood pressure during the investigation.After you have walked on the treadmill, you will be monitored for 15 to 20 minutes. You need to stay in the test area before your blood pressure and the heart rate return to normal level.Charge:Exercise Treadmill $2,700Exercise Treadmill + 35 items health check index $3,580 (Click here)Benefits:Treadmill is generally considered safe, especially since it is done in a controlled environment under the supervision of a trained medical professional.\Risks:There are some rare risks, such as chest pain, collapsing, fainting, heart attack, irregular heartbeat. However, your risk of experiencing these reactions during the test is low, since your doctor will assess you before the test. People risked of these complications such as those with advanced coronary heart disease are rarely asked to do the test.Reference:Stuart RJ Jr, Ellestad MH. National survey of exercise stress testing facilities. Chest. 1980;77(1):94 97..

Echocardiography is an investigation that uses sound waves to produce live images of your heart. The image is an echocardiogram. For the 2D ultrasound, they provide flatter, two-dimensional, black and white image. Our Centre provide 4D ultrasound which is an actual moving three-dimensional image of your heart. This investigation allows your doctor to monitor how your heart and its valves are functioning.Your doctor may order an echocardiography for several reasons. For example, they may have discovered an abnormality from other testing or while listening to your heartbeat through astethoscope. If you have an irregular heartbeat, your doctor may want to inspect the heart valves or chambers or check your heart’s ability to pump. They may also order one if you’re showing signs of heart problems, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.This test helps doctors:Assess your heart structure.(such as chamber size and the heart valves)Evaluate your heart function.(such as valves stenosis, congenital heart defects or atrial tumors)Assess the pericardial status(to detect any abnormal fluid near your heart)Suitability:This investigation is suitable for all of you.Proccess:We will roll up your top above the chest and spread some gel over your chest.The doctor will press an USG probe(a plastic device)firmly against your skin over the chest. You may feel a little bit discomfort, but not painful at all.The nurse will dim the lights for the doctor to see a better image from the monitor.After the procedure, nurse will help you clear the gel from your chest.Under most circumstances, the procedure takes 10-20 minutes.You are not required to fast or stay in hospital overnight.Charge:Echocardiography $3,500Echocardiography + 35 items health check index$3,980(Click here)Benefits:Ultrasound is painless, noninvasive, and involves no exposure to radiation. There are no associated risks.Risks:Echocardiogram is a safe, time saving and non-invasive procedure. With our advanced machine, most of the image of heart chambers can be clearly see and obtained.

A coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) is a comprehensive and non-invasive imaging test to check if the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked and evaluate their calcification’s level. Cardiologists refer to the test result to assess whether a PCI procedure is needed for a patient.Heartwarming Initiative【Coronary CT Angiogram Check up package】 $4,800 (Click Here)The SOMATOM Force is the next generation in Dual Source CT, incorporating two innovative Vectron tubes and two revolutionary StellarInfinity detectors.The Unique Dual Source gantry and high table speed of the SOMATOM Force allow CT imaging at unprecedented acquisition speed and temporal resolution, dose saving technology for precision medicine, providing more comfortable scan experience for patient.Notes to PatientFast for 4 hours before the examination, regular medications can still be taken with a small amount of plain water.Please inform the nurses if any history of drug/food/contrast allergy, asthma, kidney disease or diabetes melltus.Please inform the nurses if confirmed or suspected pregnancy.If you are allergic to the contrast, please take short-term steroids for 12 hours and 2 hours before the examination to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis caused by the contrast.Please resume medications 48 hours after the examination for those diabetes patients who need to take Metformin / Glucophage.If you are over the age of 60 or with renal insufficiency, you must have a BUN/Creatinine/RFT drawn within 30 days before receiving IV contrast, meanwhile you have to provide the blood test result on the referral form.No exercise, alcohol, smoking, coffee, tea or coke 12 hours before examination.

This test helps doctors:Assess your heart activityAssess any significant arrhythmiaAssess the effectiveness of prescribed medicationMonitor the function of pacemaker if patient has anySuitability:Patient who has history of arrhythmiaPatient who has symptoms such as dizziness, syncope, chest pain or shortness of breath followed by arrhythmiaPatient has history of loss of consciousness with unknown causeProccess:This battery-operated machine is used to record your heart rate and heart activity, with 7 electrode dots stick on your body.Under most circumstances, the procedure takes 10-20 minutes and you are not required to stay in hospital overnight.You are required to wear the holter machine and ask to keep a diary of any symptoms or discomfort experienced during the time the monitor is worn, so that the doctor can pay special attention to the recordings made at those times and determine whether the symptoms in question are related to the heart.You are required to come according to your appointment date for the wearing of the machine and come back on the next day to remove machine.Charge:Holter (24 hours) $3,000Holter (3days) + 35 items health check index $5,980 (Click here)Benefits:Holter is an easy carry machine, with a dimension in 70 mm x 63 mm x 18 mm, you can carry it on your shoulder. With this small box, you can have your daily activity as usual, without any influences to your daily life.Risks:Holter is an absolutely safe procedure, but beware not to take shower or splash an water over the machine, to avoid damage the machine or loosen of electrode dots, avoid other investigation such as X-rays, CT or MRI, and get away from magnetic devices or furniture. Also, redness, itchiness, allergic reaction may encountered with the electrode dots.

Kardia can capture a medical-grade ECG in a very short period, know instantly if your heart rhythm is normal or if atrial fibrillation is detected in your ECG. And you can relay it to your doctor to inform your diagnosis and treatment plan. It fits for personal heart insights.

This test helps doctors:Assess your blood pressure condition.Assess any abnormal blood pressure.Assess the effectiveness of prescribed medication.Proccess:You are required to wear a battery-operated machine for 24 hours.This machine is used to record your blood pressure periodically.Under most circumstances, the procedure takes 10-20 minutes and you are not required to stay in hospital overnight.You are required to come according to your appointment date for the wearing of the machine and come back on the next day for the dislodgement of the machine.Charge:24-hour AmbulatoryBlood + 35 items health check index $4,100 (Click here)Benefits:ABPM is an absolutely safe procedure but beware not to take shower or splash any water over the machine, to avoid damage the machine or loosen of electrode dots, avoid other investigation such as X-rays, CT or MRI.Risks:ABPM is an easy carry machine, you can have your daily activity as usual, without any influences to your daily life.

This test helps doctors:Determine the tolerance of the exercise in cardiac rehabilitationDetermine the effectiveness of different treatments such as angioplasty, and anti-anginal or antiarrhythmic medicationsSuitability:Basically this test is suitable for everyone, but if the patient has mobility difficulties, this test will not be applicablePeople who have experienced chest pain, sudden dizziness or even temporary loss of consciousness during exerciseProccess:Your doctor will perform a pre-exercise imaging with the echocardiography machine.You will be asked to walk on a motor driven treadmill with progressively increased speed and incline until you achieve a target heart rate (according to your age and medical condition), or develop significant electrocardiogram changes, symptoms or signs.Right after exercise, you will be asked to quickly lie on a stretcher, so that your doctor can acquire the necessary post-exercise images.Your doctor and nurse will closely monitor your ECG and blood pressure during the investigation.After the test, you will be monitored for 15 to 20 minutes. You need to stay in the test area before your blood pressure and the heart rate return to normal level.Benefits:This non-invasive procedure can discover the deadly disease, under medical staff monitoring with sufficient medical equipment.Risks:Although the procedure carries certain risks, but it helps the patient to prevent coronary heart disease, since patient may not have symptoms at rest.

Suitability:Patient who cannot exercise wellPatient who had history of chest pain, syncope or even loss of conscious during exerciseProccess:You will be asked to lie on a stretcher.Drugs (such as dobutamine) will be given intravenously as prescribed by the doctor.Echocardiographic images will be obtained.You will be under close observation continuously, especially your electrocardiogram and blood pressure to ensure safety.Drug infusion will be stopped after desired images are obtained, or when you develop signs and symptoms.Benefits:There are some rare risks, such as chest pain, collapsing, fainting, heart attack, irregular heartbeat. However, your risk of experiencing these reactions during the test is low, since your doctor will assess you before the test. People risked of these complications such as those with advanced coronary heart disease are rarely asked to do the test.Risks:Although the procedure carries certain risks, but it helps patient to prevent coronary heart disease, since patient may not have symptoms at rest.Reference:ACC/AHA Guideline Update for the Clinical Application of Echocardiography 2003.

Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) aims at studying the structure and function of the heart. It is performed through introducing a probe of 1 cm in diameter through the mouth into the esophagus.The close position of the esophagus to the heart allows the TEE to obtain a better visualization of heart structures. It can study the structure and function of the heart accurately, and diagnose congenital heart disease, cardiac masses, infection of heart valves and aortic dissection.Suitability:This procedure is suitable for anyone, except those who have swallowing problem, and history of operation in pharynx or esophagus.Proccess:Blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter and ECG leads will be connected. Your vital signs will be continuously monitored during the test.Denture must be removed.Right before the procedure, local anesthesia will be applied to the pharynx.You will be asked to lie in left lateral position.Low dose intravenous sedation may be given.The probe, which is at the tip of the endoscope, will be lubricated and slowly introduced into your esophagus with the assistance of the physician and your swallowing motion.The study takes around 10-15minutes, please relax during the examination. Dribbling out of saliva is expected.After the examination, the probe will slowly be retracted.Risks:Major complications: death, esophageal perforation, significant arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and aspiration, occurs with a frequency of 0.3% with reported mortality of less than 0.01%.Sore throat and blood stained saliva is common and will recover in 1-2 days.