Physicians use many tests to help diagnose a patient with a heart condition. St. Joseph Memorial Hospital offers an array of diagnostic services that include:

• Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) - Evaluation of your heart that measures the electrical signals that control the rhythm of your heartbeat.
• Stress Test (Exercise Electrocardiography) - Electrocardiography done during exercise to evaluate how the heart responds to the demands of physical activity.
• Holter monitoring (Ambulatory Electrocardiography) – Evaluation using a small battery-powered recorder to continuously monitor the electrical activity of your heart for 24 hours.
• Event monitoring – Evaluation using a battery-powered recorder to evaluate the heart. This device is usually worn for up to 30 days. The patient turns on the recorder during a cardiac event. Once the data is recorded, the patient must transmit the information via a telephone call.
• Echocardiography – Evaluation of the structure of the heart and the velocity of the blood flow using sound waves.
• Cardiac Enzyme Testing – a test that helps confirm or diagnose a heart attack by evaluating the level of special enzymes in the heart.
• Cardiac Risk Profile (lipid panel) – a blood test to determine the level of cholesterol, tryglycerides, HDL, and LDL in the bloodstream.

Our courteous and professional staff will help with instruction during the tests and make you feel comfortable.

Physicians providing services at and admitting patients to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital are not employees of the hospitals. Physicians exercise their own independent judgment regarding medical care and treatment and the hospitals are not responsible for their actions.