Cardiology/Pulmonary Care at GEMCH

Patients suffering from chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or other similar symptoms often require care from trained cardiologists and pulmonologists. At Greater El Monte Community Hospital (GEMCH), our skilled team uses state-of-the-art equipment to test, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of heart and lung related conditions. We are American Heart Association Certified.

In order to determine how well your lungs and heart are functioning, our highly-skilled physicians provide a range of proven tests. The goal of these tests is to determine the level of function and to stabilize, slow, or even reverse the effects and progression of pulmonary or cardiovascular disease.

We offer the following cardiology/pulmonary services:

• EEG: This test, also known as an electroencephalogram, detects abnormalities that are related to the electrical activity of the brain.
• EKG: This test, also known as an electrocardiogram, detects abnormalities that are related to the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echos: This test can be thought of as a heart ultrasound, taking moving pictures of the heart with sound waves. This test is non-invasive.
• Stress test: This test often includes riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill while blood pressure, breathing, and heart rhythm are monitored.
• Pulmonary function test: This refers to a wide range of tests that measure the effectiveness of the lungs in inhaling and exhaling air, and how well they transfer oxygen to the blood.
• Bronchoscopy: This is a test which enables your doctor to examine your airways through use of an instrument called a bronchoscope, which reaches into your lungs.
• Arterial blood gases: This test measures the acidity and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from artery to evaluate the lung functions of ventilation and gas exchange.
• Holter monitor: This test involves recording EKG activity for 24 hours, and it is used for in-patients and out-patients.

In addition to diagnostic testing, the cardiopulmonary department at our hospital also provides various cardiology and respiratory treatments such as cardioversion, oxygen therapy, aerosol with bronchodilator treatment, mechanical ventilation with ventilator and BIPAP machine, airway management, tracheostomy tube management, chest physiotherapy (CPT).