Staff at the Cardiac Care Institute at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center use advanced technology to diagnose and treat cardiac problems. For example, the hospital recently purchased two echocardiography systems that take high-resolution 2-D and 3-D images of the heart.

"The systems give us much better views of the anatomy and structures of the heart," says Joe Mondoux, RDCS, an ultrasound technician at the Cardiac Care Institute. "We can also measure blood flow and certain cardiac functions that are good indicators of patients' cardiac health."

The equipment is all digital. Instead of creating tapes of the studies, technologists can download the digital images quickly to a computer. Doctors can view the studies on a computer monitor, enter electronic reports and send the study results to requesting physicians with the push of a button.

"The high quality images and faster turnaround times allow doctors to make more timely and accurate diagnoses and more closely monitor the progress of patients undergoing treatments," says Mondoux.

With the acquisition of these new systems, the Cardiac Care Institute now is completely digital.

Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
You can't change some of the factors -- including age, gender and race -- that may increase your risk for heart disease. But you can help lower your risk by controlling these risk factors:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Inactive lifestyle
• Obesity
• Tobacco use

For more information about the Cardiac Care Institute at Desert Springs Hospital, please visit www.desertspringshospital.net.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106