Our cardiology services help people with cardiovascular disease manage their condition day-to-day. Through clinical consultations, cardiologists provide support and treatment to patients.
What can we do for you?
We can arrange specialist consultations to manage of your cardiovascular needs.
We offer the following investigational services:
- ECG
- transthoracic echocardiography
- stress echocardiography
- Holter monitor testing
- 24-hour blood pressure monitors.
Our transthoracic echocardiography and stress echocardiography services are bulk-billed, have a minimal wait time and are provided by our expert team of cardiologists.
Who can attend?
To attend this service you will need a referral from your treating physician or general practitioner. Your referral should include any relevant test results.
More information on attending the Baker Specialist Clinics.
How much will it cost me?
The Baker Specialist Clinics cardiology services will incur an out of pocket private services fee once the Medicare rebate is claimed.
All investigational services are directly billed to Medicare so there is no out of pocket patient charge.
Echocardiography
Our echocardiography services combine the latest equipment with the recognised expertise of our specialist research and clinical cardiologists. As such it is ideally placed to assist in the diagnosis and management of shortness of breath, heart failure and the diagnosis of coronary heart disease.
What is an echocardiogram?
This test uses ultrasound to produce images of your heart so that we can look at its structure and assess its ability to function. You will need to remove your shirt/blouse, lay on your left side on a bed and then flat on your back. The cardiographer will place a small amount of water based gel on your chest and place an external probe on the gel to produce the images. You will also have some small sticky electrodes placed on your chest so that an ECG can be recorded whilst you are having the echocardiogram.
You generally need to allow 60 minutes for this test.
What is a stress echocardiogram?
This test combines exercise and ultrasound to produce images of your heart so that we can look at its structure and assess its ability to function whilst your body is under stress. You will need to remove your shirt/blouse, lay on your left side on a bed and then flat on your back. The cardiographer will place a small amount of water based gel on your chest and place an external probe on the gel to produce the images. You will also have some small sticky electrodes placed on your chest so that an ECG can be recorded whilst you are having the echocardiogram. You will then be asked to walk on a treadmill and to do as much exercise as you can comfortably do. You will then be put back onto the bed, in the same position, so that the cardiographer can take more images of your heart.
You generally need to allow 45 to 60 minutes for this test and you should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Video:Sam Wood, Everyday Health, undergos a stress echocardiogram at the Baker Specialist Clinics.
Rights and responsibilities
What are your rights and responsibilities as a client of the Baker Specialist Clinics and what to expect from our services and staff? More information...