Since it first opened its doors in 1984, the Heart & Family Health Institute has been a significant medical resource for the prevention and treatment of heart disease. As the needs of the community grew the Institute established - on site -- many advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services offering patients important options for the evaluation and treatment of cardiovascular disease and for a full spectrum of health problems. (For more information about our services, click on the links below highlighted in blue.)
The Diagnostics Department performs studies of the heart and blood vessels. These noninvasive examinations are done using instruments that measure and evaluate different cardiovascular and pulmonary functions.
Exercise Stress Test Pacemaker Clinic Event Monitoring Holter Monitors Echocardiography Color Doppler Studies Carotid Duplex Examination Venous Duplex Examination Signal Averaged EKG Pulmonary Function Arterial Scans
Nuclear Medicine The Nuclear Medicine Department provides sophisticated evaluations of the cardiac system, the bones, the liver and the spleen. These tests involve the use of "tracer" substances and special scanning cameras to develop detailed images and information about the physiology and functioning of the heart, liver, spleen and bones.
Imaging Services Our Imaging Services Department is equipped with the most advanced MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computerized tomography) scanning equipment for obtaining very precise and detailed images of bones, organs and other soft tissue and structures inside the body. These specialized diagnostic imaging services include studies of the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles, bones, and of organs and systems including the liver, kidneys, prostate, pancreas, bowel and pituitary.
The breakthrough technology of our new super-fast ’64-slice’ CT scanner dramatically reduces the time it takes to acquire images, with most CT studies taking only a few minutes to perform.
Cardiac CT Angiography The extraordinary speed and high resolution of our CT scanner make it possible to perform accurate non-invasive examinations of the beating heart, visualizing the heart and coronary arteries within a single breath-hold. Cardiac CT Angiography is done to evaluate the coronary arteries for blockages and abnormalities, assess the condition of coronary artery by-pass grafts and stents, and to evaluate the non-coronary heart structures.
Radiology The department is equipped to do a full complement of joint, skeletal and chest x-ray studies, including Bone Densitometry to determine the presence and extent of osteoporosis.
Neurodiagnostics Laboratory Our Neurodiagnostics Laboratory is equipped for studies used in the diagnosis of diseases and disorders of the nervous system and the neuromuscular system. The studies, involving the use of equipment that can detect and measure the electrical activity of muscles, nerves and the brain, are used to diagnose such disorders as stroke, Alzheimer's Disease, Bell's Palsy, epilepsy, headache and others. Studies performed in the Laboratory include:
Urological Diagnostics Specialized diagnostic studies of the structure and functioning of the urinary system are performed in our Urology Department.
Urodynamics Uroflowmetry Cystometry Pressure Flow Study Cystoscopy Prostate Ultrasound Nocturnal Tumescence Study
The Diagnostic Blood Laboratory With our own Diagnostic Blood Laboratory at the Institute we are able to perform nearly all of the necessary blood tests for our patients right here. In addition to many routine tests, our Laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, performs a number of specialized tests, including the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for the presence of prostate cancer, and critical studies for patients with lupus. The lab, which is licensed by the State of Florida, consistently meets the very stringent quality control and proficiency testing standards set by the state and by national government agencies.
SPECIAL TREATMENT SERVICES
Diabetes Education Comprehensive diabetes self-management education classes are provided for patients with Type I and Type II diabetes. The specialized course teaches the skills that are essential for maintaining good control of blood glucose levels and overall health.
Diet/Nutrition Counseling Assessment of nutritional status, establishment of individual self-management goals and meal plans, follow-up counseling and evaluation of results are provided by a Registered Dietitian. These services offer valuable tools in maintaining good health for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who suffer the debilitating symptoms resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. EECP has proven effective in eliminating or reducing the number and severity of episodes of chest and arm pain, shortness of breath and weakness, and has been shown to decrease the need for certain cardiac medications.
EECP therapy may be indicated for patients diagnosed with heart disease who cannot or do not wish to undergo invasive procedures (such as balloon angioplasty or by-pass surgery); and for patients who have had one or more invasive procedures without adequate relief, or for whom medications to treat symptoms have not provided sufficient relief.
Infusion and Therapeutic Injection Center The Center provides infusion therapy with Remicade (for Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis) Rituxan (for rheumatoid arthritis) and Boniva (for osteoporosis), and Procrit injection therapy for restoration of severely depleted red blood cells.
1700 S.E. HILLMOOR DR.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 34952
(772) 335-9600
Exercise Stress Test
Our Imaging Services Department is equipped with the most advanced MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computerized tomography) scanning equipment for obtaining very precise and detailed images of bones, organs and other soft tissue and structures inside the body. These specialized diagnostic imaging services include studies of the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles, bones, and of organs and systems including the liver, kidneys, prostate, pancreas, bowel and pituitary.
The extraordinary speed and high resolution of our CT scanner make it possible to perform accurate non-invasive examinations of the beating heart, visualizing the heart and coronary arteries within a single breath-hold. Cardiac CT Angiography is done to evaluate the coronary arteries for blockages and abnormalities, assess the condition of coronary artery by-pass grafts and stents, and to evaluate the non-coronary heart structures.
With our own Diagnostic Blood Laboratory at the Institute we are able to perform nearly all of the necessary blood tests for our patients right here. In addition to many routine tests, our Laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, performs a number of specialized tests, including the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for the presence of prostate cancer, and critical studies for patients with lupus. The lab, which is licensed by the State of Florida, consistently meets the very stringent quality control and proficiency testing standards set by the state and by national government agencies.
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who suffer the debilitating symptoms resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. EECP has proven effective in eliminating or reducing the number and severity of episodes of chest and arm pain, shortness of breath and weakness, and has been shown to decrease the need for certain cardiac medications.
EECP therapy may be indicated for patients diagnosed with heart disease who cannot or do not wish to undergo invasive procedures (such as balloon angioplasty or by-pass surgery); and for patients who have had one or more invasive procedures without adequate relief, or for whom medications to treat symptoms have not provided sufficient relief.