About the examination in general
WHEN IS IT RECOMMENDED?
Cardiology examinations are intended to evaluate the disorders of the heart. The suspicion is raised by the checkup of a physician or a specialist or a screening examination.
FOR WHAT AGE GROUP?
Frequency of heart and vascular diseases starts to elevate over the age of 40.
HOW OFTEN IS IT RECOMMENDED?
The general medical, laboratory screening examinations are recommended yearly among the higher risk age-groups.
DOES IT HAVE ANY RISK?
The examinations are fully free of any risk (ECG, ultrasonography) or have minimal risk (stress test ECG, transesophageal echocardiography).
HOW TO REQUEST AN EXAMINATION?
The cardiology examination is a specialist’s consultation, thus it is correct if the therapist asks for the examination. It is supported by the current referring system as well.
Without referral, cardiology examinations can be performed in our private consultation, according to our price list.
DOES IT HAVE ANY SIDE-EFFECTS?
The examination doesn’t have any side-effects.
FURTHER CARDIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS
- Cardiology consultation
- Echocardiography
- Stress test ECG
- Isotope stress test
- Transesophageal echocardiography
- Holter ECG
- 24 hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
Cardiology consultation
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
History taking, physical examination, ECG, blood pressure measurement, echocardiography.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
The patients should prepare for the questions, write down the medications taken and bring the past medical records, discharge summaries and laboratory findings (not only the cardiological ones!). If possible, the patient should have an up to date laboratory findings and notes of the blood pressure values of the last period.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
20-30 minutes on average.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It is not painful.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Right after the examination.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 1-2 weeks.
- For paying patient it is 1-3 days!
Echocardiography
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
The echocardiography is performed in recumbent position.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
The patient should bring the last medical findings, if possible.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
20 minutes on average.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It is not painful.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Right after the examination.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 1-2 weeks.
- For paying patient it is 1-3 days!
Stress test ECG
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
The patient is asked to walk on a treadmill, as a leisure walk at first, then at a faster pace every 3 minutes, for approx. 10 minutes. The aim is to reach the age-related endurance that is known by the pulse-rate.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
The patient is asked to bring his or her previous finding, if has any. If a medication was skipped before the examination, the patient should also bring it to be administered after the examination.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
20 minutes on the average.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Right after the examination.
BOOKING TIME?
- Direct booking is not made as the stress test is a part of the cardiology consultation.
Isotope stress test
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
The isotope is administered as an injection. The image is taken 1.5-2 hours later. There are two images taken. At the second image – under cardiological control – a vasodilator is administered before the injection of the isotope material.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
The patient should fast before each studies (he or she can drink water). He or she is asked to eat 20 minutes after administration of the isotope.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
2-3 hours, two times.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It is only the pain caused by the injection itself.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
On the working day after the second isotope examination.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 7-10 days.
- For a paying patient it is 1-3 days!
Transesophageal echocardiography
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
With the ultrasound probe introduced into the esophagus, such structural and functional details of the heart can be evaluated that cannot be visualized with an “outer” examination, i.e. performed through the chest wall.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
At least 4-6 hours of fasting is required before the examination. As sedative is administered, someone should attend the patient. Eating or drinking is not allowed 2 hours after the examination. The same day driving is prohibited.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
It is 40 minutes with preparation. The examination itself takes 10-15 minutes.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It is unpleasant but not painful. Patients used to say: „I thought it would be worse.”
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Right after the examination.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 7-10 days.
- For a paying patient it is 1-3 days!
Holter ECG
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
It is an automatic 24 hour long ECG monitoring with recording of the measured data.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
The device has a size of a cigarette pocket. Its wearing doesn’t interfere with everyday activities. Care should be taken to avoid contact with water, even when cleaning. It is invisible under a loose shirt/blouse or sweater.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
It is approx. 10 minutes when setting the device.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It doesn’t come with any pain.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
2-3 days after returning the device.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 1-2 weeks.
- For paying patient , without referral it is 1-2 days!
24 hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
HOW IS THE EXAMINATION PERFORMED?
It is an automatic 24 hour long blood pressure monitoring with recording of the measured data.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EXAMINATION?
Wear a crease-proof, thin long sleeved shirt or t-shirt. The cuff is placed over this.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
It is approx. 10 minutes when setting the device.
WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
It doesn’t come with any pain.
WHEN DO I GET MY RESULTS?
Immediately when returning the device.
BOOKING TIME?
- With referral, covered by the social security it is 1-2 weeks.
- For a paying patient, without referral it is 1-2 days!
Imaging diagnostic examinations are performed for persons with social security, continously paying contributions and allowances or have a valid legal relationship for any other reason in Hungary on the expense of the social insuracnce (SI). The majority of patients makes use of our services as ambulatory care, i.e. as an out-patients. Out-patient examinations have been readily financed by the SI to a certain extent only and this is far less than the real demand would require. With regard to the fact that examinations above this limit are not financed by the SI, most health care instituations and providers – and so do we – take measures to book our examinations. We perform the appropriate amount of monthly financed examinations after summarizing the bookings. But since the demand for imaging diagnostic examination if much higher than what the above limit permits, in some cases patients have to wait for certain examinations several weeks, even months. Naturally, this waiting time doesn’t apply for urgent examinations. Applying an urgent examination is the duty of the referral doctor, after coinsidering the patient’s health status and in the cases of the clinical status of “urgent demand” defined by the law. Inpatient examinations are imaging diagnostic examinations for patients staying permanently in health care institutaions. Theoretically there isn’t any limit for examinations of this type. If the doctor of the inpatient decides that imaging diagnostic examination is necessary for the patient, this still will be performed on the day of such request. In every case the adequately filled out referral and the valid SSN number (social security number) is needed before performing the examination.
The validity of social insurance legal relationship has to be checked in case of every patient.
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