Cardiovascular technologists and technicians help doctors identify and treat cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood vessel) problems.
Did you know that your heart is located closer to the center of your chest rather than in the left side? It's tipped to the left, so the heartbeat is heard in that direction. Another fun fact: the heart beats about 35 million times per year, or over 2 billion times over the average person's lifetime!
Cardiovascular technologists conduct tests on patients' hearts and blood vessels. Some procedures require inserting small tubes, called catheters, into patients. Other tests are done externally. Technologists prepare patients for these tests. They begin by explaining the tests to patients in order to reduce their fears. If tubes will be inserted, technicians shave and clean the area where the tubes will go. Then they apply anesthesia to the skin. For some procedures, technologists help doctors insert a small tube into the body. They activate the scope and camera that doctors use to guide the tube through the body. During these tests, technologists monitor patients' blood pressure. They use electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment to watch the heart's activity. If there are any problems or changes, they alert doctors.
Some technologists specialize in tests that are done using ultrasound. This equipment sends out sound waves and collects the echoes to form an image on a screen. These images are stored in a computer and printed out later. Technologists who use ultrasound on the heart are called echocardiographers. They move the wand that sends out the sound waves so that it is over the heart. They adjust the amount and quality of the sound waves to improve the images. Vascular technologists help doctors identify disorders affecting the circulation system. They use ultrasound instruments to record how blood vessels are working.
Cardiovascular technicians who run electrocardiograms (EKG) are also called electrocardiograph technicians. An EKG machine traces the rhythm of the heart. To run EKG tests, technicians put electrodes on patients' chests, arms, and legs. Then they monitor the equipment as the test proceeds. Some EKG tests are run while patients exercise on a treadmill. Technicians control the speed of the treadmill during the test. Skilled EKG technicians fit some patients with portable heart monitors. Technicians check the quality of the data that was recorded. If it passes, they print out the information for doctors to examine.
Throughout all of the tests listed above, technologists and technicians may watch video screens or gauges to locate possible problems. They measure blood flow rates and assess how the heart and its system are working. They compare this data against those for healthy hearts. If there are urgent problems, they alert doctors immediately. If not, they review and discuss their findings with doctors later. Throughout their work with patients, technologists and technicians document test results in patients' medical charts.