In-House X-ray & Heart Echo

Diagnostic tests are an important tool used by physicians to confirm the presence of a trauma or health complication. Though diagnostic tests are a routine part of caring for patients, many physicians outsource these tests to external laboratories rather than offering them in their own offices. Though effective, doing so puts unnecessary strain on the patient and requires a longer wait for diagnostic results.

By offering some of the most common diagnostic tests right here in our own office, we can streamline the experience for patients and quickly uncover important information that can help us monitor the progression of patient health or lead us to a diagnosis. Two of those in-house tests – x-rays and heart echo tests – give us real time information about the health of our patients and allow us to make quick determinations about future treatment protocols.

In-House X-Rays

For more than 100 years, x-rays have offered a glimpse into the inside of the body without the invasiveness of an incision. When patients present with pain in an isolated area, and x-ray can help confirm the source of the problem. X-rays can also provide data about the progression of certain diseases like osteoporosis, and they can provide feedback about the success and effectiveness of a particular treatment.

There are many different types of x-rays. Here in our office, we are proud to offer advanced diagnostic imaging technology for easy onsite physician analysis. Dr. Hammad may request an x-ray if he suspects or you have been diagnosed with a bone or joint disease, or if you show signs of a possible fracture or infection.

In-House Heart Echo

A heart echo, also known as an echocardiogram, is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound technology to produce real-time images of the heart and its movement in the chest. The test is completely painless, although Dr. Hammad may need to inject contrast material or other medication to more easily examine the function of the heart.

During the test, high-pitched ultrasound waves pass through the body and bounce off the various surfaces of the heart, sending back a moving image for physician evaluation. This can reveal heart enlargement, thickened heart walls, unhealthy heart valves, and more. Dr. Hammad may suggest heart echo testing if you have a heart murmur, have been experiencing shortness of breath, have an irregular heartbeat, or have been experiencing other symptoms of concern. Heart echo tests may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of an artificial heart valve.