Diagnostic Tests

Our interdisciplinary team of compassionate cardiovascular experts uses the latest technology and procedures to pinpoint the nature and scope of cardiovascular problems.

Diagnostic tests, can assist doctors in determining if you have heart or vascular disease. If you already know that you have heart or vascular disease, these tests can show if your disease is progressing and guide the treatment that is best suited to your needs.

Your doctor will determine which test is best for you, based on your family and personal medical history and symptoms.

During your first examination, your doctor may listen to your heart sounds with a stethoscope and determine your blood pressure, using a blood pressure cuff and a blood pressure machine called a sphygmomanometer. Your doctor may also take an X-ray of your heart to see its outline or shape.

Other beneficial tests are available at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. These diagnostic tests, listed below, can be performed on an outpatient basis and will not require an overnight stay:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Holter monitor (24 hour EKG)
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• Cardiac event recording
• Stress testing
• Cardiac nuclear stress testing
• Pharmacological stress testing (Dobutamine, Persantine)
• Echocardiogram
• Transesophageal echocardiography
• Pediatric echocardiograhy
• Transtelephonic pacemaker monitoring
• Electrophysiology studies
• Cardiac catheterization

Should you or a loved one need more invasive procedures such, as cardiac angioplasty, cardiac or vascular stenting or cardiac surgery, St. Joseph’s team of Invasive Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons provide the highest level of care while using the most current technology available. 

To ensure that our patients receive the best care possible before and after their invasive procedures, our nationally certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Team, located at St. Joseph’s Regional Hospital in Paterson, provides Cardiac Rehabilitation for both our inpatients and outpatients to assist them with a rapid recovery.

The Division of Cardiology hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Most services are offered at both St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital and St. Joseph's University Medical Center.