RANGELY — According to the American Heart Association, coronary disease and strokes are two of the three leading causes of death and serious disability. Because of the great risk associated with coronary disease and stroke, it is important to reduce your risk factors, know the early warning signs and how to respond quickly and properly if signs occur. Equal emphasis should be placed on preventative screenings:
Keeping the lungs and heart in working order is an important component of staying fit and healthy. To help with this, Rangely Family Medicine and the cardiopulmonary services department as well as the laboratory and radiology department of Rangely District Hospital provide procedures that diagnose and treat diseases of these two vital organs.
People with breathing difficulties can benefit from respiratory therapy and pulmonary services, such as oxygen, and bronchial dilatation treatments, breathing exercises as well as diagnostic and medical procedures.
Cardiac services include cardiac-stress testing, Holter monitor scanning, Electro-
cardiograms (EKGs), pulmonary function testing and nocturnal pulse oximetery. Also available are chest x-rays through the radiology department while the laboratory can also perform screenings for cholesterol, heart enzymes and electrolytes. Please consult with your physician to see if you will benefit from any of these services.
n Stress testing examines the function of the heart under physical exertion. It is used to measure the heart’s tolerance for exercise and detect various forms of heart disease
n Holter monitoring is a non-invasive study of the electrical activity of the heart. It gives a constant reading of your heart rate and rhythm over a 24-hour period. The Holter Monitor can record heart rate and rhythm during chest pain or symptoms of an irregular heartbeat.
n Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a non-invasive study of the electrical activity of the heart helpful in diagnosing heart attack and heart disease.
n Pulmonary function study is a diagnostic test used to indicate the presence of lung diseases such as asthma and COPD.
n Nocturnal pulse oximetery is a non-invasive home study that determines the oxygen level of the blood while asleep.
n Chest X-ray
n Cholesterol screenings monitor HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels.
n Heart enzyme tests monitor heart muscle damage following a heart attack.
n Electrolyte screening monitors proper heart function to ensure health.