Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Comprehensive Cardiac Evaluation at the Mayo Chest Pain Clinic

The goal of the Mayo Chest Pain and Coronary Physiology Clinic is to render an accurate diagnosis then pursue the most promising course of treatment, whatever the source of the patient's chronic chest pain. Mayo believes this is best done in a true multidisciplinary setting that exploits the collective wisdom of many specialists working in the interest of the patient.

Mayo does extensive testing of patients before a diagnosis is rendered. Before the patient's first scheduled visit, it is recommended that the patient mail in previous testing results.

Prescheduled testing involves basic bloodwork, including:

• Red & white blood cell analysis
• Blood chemistry
• Other tests for early signs of heart disease and endothelial function

Depending on the patient's history and preliminary test results, further testing that may be ordered as well. The possibilities include:

• ECG
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Specialized stress testing (to identify blockages)
  • Nuclear scan (Sestamibi scan)
  • PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
• Coronary angiogram
• Endothelial dysfunction testing

Patient Education

A healthcare professional will guide each patient in making healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent or slow the progression of heart disease. Depending on the patient's unique needs, recommendations may include:

• Blood pressure measurement and control
• Personalized exercise prescription
• Healthy eating plan
• Smoking cessation advice
• Stress management techniques

Risk Assessment

Patients of the Mayo Chest Pain and Coronary Physiology Clinic complete an extensive health history to pinpoint individual risk factors for heart disease and for other chest pain-related diseases. Patients may also be referred to the Cardiovascular Health Clinic.

Research

Physicians in the Mayo Clinic Chest Pain Clinic are leaders in clinical research to better understand chest pain and develop new treatment options.

For more information about laboratory (basic science) research, see Cardiovascular research Web pages.

For more information about ongoing clinical research trials, see our clinical trials Web pages. Patients in the Chest Pain Clinic may want to especially look for clinical trials related to ECP, spinal cord stimulation and gene transfer. Not all of the clinical trials being conducted in the Chest Pain Clinic are on the Web site. Patients should talk with their physician about any clinical studies for which they might be eligible.

Continuity of Care

Continuity of care is important because the patient represents a complex system of organs and functions that are best viewed by a team of experts working together from a single, complete and reliable base of information.

Mayo Clinic produces a single medical record that follows the patient from appointment to appointment. Each physician works from the same medical record, which is continuously updated throughout the course of the patient's care. And when the patient returns for a follow-up visit, the comprehensive record stands ready to be used again.

Following diagnosis, patients can continue to receive follow-up care in the Chest Pain Clinic.

Complete Access

Chest Pain Clinic patients have full access to Mayo Clinic's state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical serivces, both for heart disease and other conditions that may be discovered.

Depending on individual circumstance, the patient may be referred in coordinated fashion to other specialized areas within Mayo for additional testing and therapy including:

• Cardiovascular Health Clinic
• Diabetes
• Gastroenterology
• Hypertension
• Lipid management
• Nicotine dependence
• Pain Clinic
• Patient and health education
• Pulmonary medicine
• Sleep disorders
• Vascular medicine
• Weight/nutrition counseling
• Other areas as appropriate