Heart care that is explained clearly
Dr. Maryam Shahid, Consultant Cardiologist, sees patients for heart consultation and performs echocardiography, ECG and Holter monitoring at City Medical Complex, Nishatabad, Faisalabad.
- Consultant CardiologistSenior Registrar, Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology
- M.B.B.S. (PAK)Diploma in Cardiology (UHS)
- Registered clinicPunjab Healthcare Commission, R-38908
Heart tests we perform
Four simple tests that help your cardiologist see how your heart is working. Here is what each one does and what to expect on the day.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram uses harmless sound waves to make live, moving pictures of your heart. A small probe is moved gently over the chest and the screen shows the heart chambers, valves and walls working as the heart beats, along with the direction of blood flow.
It helps explain breathlessness, swollen feet, palpitations, chest discomfort and heart murmurs. It shows how strongly the heart pumps (the ejection fraction), how well the valves open and close, how thick the heart walls are, and whether there is fluid around the heart.
- Time
- About 20 to 30 minutes
- Preparation
- Usually none. Wear a loose or two-piece top.
- Comfort
- Painless. No radiation is used.
ECG (electrocardiogram)
An ECG records the tiny electrical signals that make your heart beat. Small sticky pads are placed on the chest, arms and legs, and a machine draws your heartbeat on paper in a few moments.
It shows your heart rate and rhythm and can pick up rhythm problems, signs of a past or current heart attack, strain on the heart, and the effects of some medicines. It is often the first test for chest pain, dizziness or palpitations.
- Time
- A few minutes (about 5 to 10 with set-up)
- Preparation
- None. Wear a loose top and avoid oil or cream on the chest that day.
- Comfort
- Painless. The pads may tug a little when removed.
Holter monitoring
A Holter monitor is a small portable ECG recorder that you wear for one to two days while you carry on with your normal routine. Wires from five sticky pads on the chest connect to a recorder about the size of a small phone, worn on a belt or a neck strap.
Palpitations, skipped beats, dizziness and fainting do not always happen when you are in the clinic. A Holter records every heartbeat over the whole period, so the doctor can match your symptoms with what the heart was doing at that exact time.
- Time
- Worn for 24 to 48 hours, then returned to the clinic
- Preparation
- Wear a loose, button-front top. Keep a short diary of your symptoms and the time they happen.
- Care
- Keep the recorder dry. Do not bathe or shower while wearing it.
- Comfort
- Painless. The pads can itch a little.
ETT (exercise tolerance test, stress test)
An exercise tolerance test (ETT), also called a treadmill or stress test, shows how your heart behaves when it has to work harder. You walk on a treadmill while your ECG, heart rate and blood pressure are watched on a monitor. The speed and slope rise step by step, a little every few minutes.
Some heart problems do not show when you are resting. The test helps find chest pain or breathlessness caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, abnormal rhythms that appear with effort, and an abnormal blood pressure response. It also shows how much exercise your heart can manage. A doctor or trained technician stays with you throughout and stops the test if you feel unwell.
- Time
- About 30 to 45 minutes in all. The walking part is usually 6 to 15 minutes.
- Preparation
- Wear comfortable clothes and flat walking shoes. Avoid a heavy meal, tea or coffee for a few hours before. Ask the clinic whether to take your usual medicines that day.
- Tell us
- Tell the team straight away if you feel chest pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness during the test.
- Comfort
- Not painful, but you will feel the effort of exercise. Small sticky pads are placed on the chest.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP or DCM)
In dilated cardiomyopathy the heart muscle becomes weak and the main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, stretches and enlarges. A heart that is stretched pumps less blood with each beat, so the body does not get all the blood it needs. The picture shows a normal heart beside a dilated one, with the matching echocardiography views.
It can follow a heart attack, long-standing high blood pressure, a viral infection of the heart, heavy alcohol use, some medicines, thyroid problems or pregnancy. It can also run in families, and in many people no clear cause is found. Finding it early lets treatment start before the heart becomes much weaker.
- Common signs
- Breathlessness, unusual tiredness, swollen ankles or feet, palpitations, dizziness or fainting
- How it is found
- Echocardiography shows the enlarged chamber and how strongly the heart pumps (ejection fraction). An ECG and Holter monitoring check the heart rhythm.
- Treatment
- Usually medicines, less salt, treatment of the cause, and regular follow-up. Some patients need further procedures. Your cardiologist advises what suits you.
Which test might I need?
| If you have | The cardiologist may suggest |
|---|---|
| Breathlessness or swollen ankles | Echocardiography and ECG |
| Chest discomfort | ECG, and echocardiography if needed |
| Palpitations that come and go, or unexplained dizziness | Holter monitoring |
| Chest pain or breathlessness when you walk fast or climb stairs | ETT (stress test), with ECG and echocardiography if needed |
| A heart murmur, or a heart condition you already know about | Echocardiography |
This is only a general guide. After talking with you and examining you, the cardiologist advises the right test for you.
Patient guide
Know the warning signs and the everyday habits that protect your heart.
When to see a cardiologist
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness when you walk or climb stairs
- Breathlessness during normal activity, or when lying flat
- A racing, irregular or skipping heartbeat
- Fainting, or feeling close to fainting
- Swollen ankles together with unusual tiredness
- High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a smoking habit
- Close family members who had heart disease at a young age
Emergency: do not wait for an appointment
Go to the nearest emergency department or call Rescue 1122 straight away if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes, especially with sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- Sudden severe breathlessness
- Fainting or collapse
- Signs of a stroke: a drooping face, a weak arm, or slurred speech
Six habits for a healthier heart
- Move every dayAim for about 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days of the week.
- Eat less salt and fried foodFill your plate with vegetables, fruit, pulses and whole grains.
- Stay tobacco freeCigarettes, hookah and chewing tobacco all damage the heart and blood vessels.
- Check your numbersHave your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly.
- Sleep and unwindAim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep and make time to relax.
- Take medicines as advisedNever stop heart medicines on your own. Ask your doctor first.
What happens at your visit
- Contact the clinic. Send a WhatsApp message or call 0339-5757011 to arrange your appointment.
- Come to City Medical Complex. Bring your earlier reports, and a list of the medicines you take.
- Consultation and tests. The cardiologist listens to your concerns, examines you and carries out the tests that are needed.
- Your report. The findings are written in a clear report that can be printed, or sent to your phone as a PDF.
About Dr. Maryam Shahid
Dr. Maryam Shahid is a Consultant Cardiologist and Senior Registrar at the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. She holds an M.B.B.S. and a Diploma in Cardiology (UHS), and cares for patients with heart symptoms and heart disease.
At City Medical Complex she offers cardiac consultation together with echocardiography, ECG and Holter monitoring, so that a heart problem can be looked at, tested and explained in one place.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms need a heart check, contact the clinic on 0339-5757011 (WhatsApp message and call) and the team will guide you on booking.
- Consultant CardiologistCardiac consultation and diagnostic heart tests
- M.B.B.S. (PAK)Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- Diploma in Cardiology (UHS)Postgraduate diploma in heart disease
- Senior RegistrarFaisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad
Questions patients ask
Is an echocardiogram painful or risky?
No. It uses sound waves, not radiation, and you only feel the probe resting on your chest. Some gentle pressure may be used to get a clear picture.
Do I need to fast before my tests?
For echocardiography and ECG you usually do not need to fast or change your medicines. If the doctor has told you something different, follow that advice.
Can I bathe while wearing a Holter monitor?
No. The recorder and pads must stay dry, so avoid baths and showers until the monitor is removed. Wash and change your clothes carefully, and keep the wires in place.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your earlier reports (ECG, echo, blood tests), your prescriptions or a list of your medicines, and your questions.
Does a normal ECG mean my heart is fine?
Not always. An ECG only records a short moment, and some problems come and go. That is why the doctor may also suggest an echocardiogram or a Holter monitor.
How do I book an appointment?
Contact the clinic on 0339-5757011 (WhatsApp message and call). Appointments for cardiac consultation and echocardiography are arranged through this number.
Visit the clinic
Please contact the clinic first, then come at your booked time.
- Address
- City Medical Complex, Opposite Total Petrol Pump, Main Sheikhupura Road, Nishatabad, Faisalabad
- Contact details
- 0339-5757011 (WhatsApp message and call)
- meeralmedicare@gmail.com
- Registration
- Punjab Healthcare Commission, R-38908
The information on this page is for general education. It does not replace a consultation, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a heart condition. In an emergency, call Rescue 1122.
Illustrations on this page are original artwork. © Dr. Maryam Shahid, City Medical Complex, Faisalabad.