Cardiopulmonary
Let Us Help You Breath Easy Again!
Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Care
At Iowa Specialty Hospital & Clinics’ Cardiopulmonary Department, our dedicated team of experienced cardiopulmonary specialists is committed to enhancing the quality of life for patients diagnosed with lung health and heart health conditions. We pride ourselves on providing the best medical care available today, striving to reduce health risks and extend the lives of our valued patients, ensuring they lead longer and happier lives.
Listen to our Podcast on Cardiopulmonary Services with Kristen Brott:
Cardiopulmonary Testing Services
The Cardiopulmonary Department at our Iowa clinics offers an extensive array of testing services designed to diagnose, monitor, and treat various heart and lung health problems. Equipped with cutting-edge medical equipment, our facilities empower our knowledgeable physicians to gather precise information about your heart and lung health. Our comprehensive testing services include stress testing, pulse oximetry, and pulmonary function testing, allowing us to tailor our approach to your unique needs.
Specialized Care For Your Diagnosis
If you've received a diagnosis of heart disease or lung disease, our cardiopulmonary doctors collaborate closely with your primary care physician to formulate a specialized care plan. This plan may include pharmaceuticals, procedures, rehabilitation, and healthy lifestyle changes to manage your condition effectively. Our staff of specialists and physicians possesses extensive experience in the successful treatment of conditions such as emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), angina, and coronary artery disease.
Expert Rehabilitative Services
Following a diagnosis or a heart attack, your cardiopulmonary doctor may recommend rehabilitation as part of your treatment program, focusing on improving your heart and lung function. Iowa Specialty Hospital takes pride in its roster of experts in cardiac rehabilitation and respiratory rehabilitation. Through specialized exercises and techniques, our staff is dedicated to assisting you in breathing and moving more comfortably, facilitating a smoother recovery.
To learn more about a particular cardiopulmonary service, please click on the links to the left. Schedule a cardiopulmonary appointment today!
Locations & Hours
Arterial Blood Gases
What is an Arterial Blood Gas Test?
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is performed on a patient to determine the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood. It is also used to determine the acid/base status of the blood.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab, is a medically supervised program designed to help heart patients recover quickly and improve their overall physical and mental functioning. The goal is to reduce the risk of another cardiac event or to keep an already-present heart condition from getting worse.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Iowa Specialty Hospital seeks to slow down and minimize the progression of your heart disease. We will combine exercise with education to help you on your way. Individualized programs can be set up for patients of all ages who suffer from any variety of heart disorder, such as heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, heart transplant, angina, and angioplasty. Other heart problems will be evaluated individually to determine eligibility.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program seeks to:
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Decrease cardiac risk factors
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Improve physical work capacity
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Return patient to safe vocational and recreational activity level
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Provide feedback to physicians regarding patient response to exercise and medications
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Ensure continuity of exercise program with transition to home
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Teach patient self-monitoring techniques
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Obtain monitored objective information in areas such as heart rate, blood pressure, etc.
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Decrease patient anxiety and depression
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Increase patient knowledge of disease process
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Provide patient with dietary needs and counseling
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Assist in weight control
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Improve self confidence and well-being
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Assist in developing a safe home exercise program
How the Does the Program Work?
After a referral is received from a physician, the patient will be individually assessed for personal needs and goals. After that time, patients meet two to three times per week. During these sessions, customized exercise programs are combined with group lectures from hospital personnel and a variety of topics consistent with the patient's program. Upon completion of the program, which can be up to 36 sessions, a hospital-based program called Phase 3 or Fit For Life, is set up so that patients can continue to make progress and maintain healthy living habits.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information or download the Cardiac Rehabilitation brochure below.
Cardiolite® Stress Testing
What is a Cardiolite® Stress Test?
A stress test with Cardiolite® is a way to determine if your heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. The test also helps evaluate how well your heart is working. To perform the test, a small amount of Cardiolite® is injected into your blood. A special camera is then able to take pictures of your heart.
How Will This Test Help Me?
Your doctor may ask for a stress test with Cardiolite® in order to get more accurate and complete information about how your heart is functioning.
Your heart receives vital, life-giving blood from vessels called coronary arteries. If these arteries become partially blocked or narrowed by the buildup of fatty materials, your heart may not receive the blood it needs to function properly. This narrowing of coronary arteries is called coronary artery disease (CAD).
While your heart may function normally at rest, your heart muscle may not receive enough blood when under stress (Example: when you are exercising). This can often result in chest pain. On the other hand, there may be no outward physical signs of this narrowing. Thus, a stress test with Cardiolite® may be useful in detecting the disease and assessing how this may affect you. With this information, your doctor can determine the proper course of treatment to keep you healthy.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information or download the Cardiolite brochure below.
Fit For Life/Phase III Rehab
What is the Fit for Life/Phase III Rehab?
How Will This Benefit Me?
The ultimate goal for this program is to help you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored by the hospital staff. You will also be shown how to use all equipment and gain education and knowledge of how to start an exercise program.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information.
Holter Monitor
What is a Holter Monitor?
Named for Norman J. Holter, a pioneer in cardiac telemetry, a Holter Monitor is a portable device that monitors your heart's activity as you go about your daily routine.
How Will This Test Help Me?
The purpose of this test is to determine the presence and severity of disturbances in your heart rhythm. The monitor can detect heart rhythm disturbances you may be having, such as dizziness, palpitations, or fainting spells. The test involves placing ECG wires attached to a box, similar to a small tape recorder, on your chest. You will wear this for 24 to 48 hours. You will be asked to keep a diary and record any symptoms you have, and what you were doing when they occurred. The test will then be analyzed, and symptoms will be correlated with any disturbances in your heart rhythm.
For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Walking Program
What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a life-threatening condition that causes the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs. Also known as claudication, poor circulation, vascular disease or hardening of the arteries, PAD is a buildup of plaque in the peripheral arteries which slows blood flow to the legs. Blockages can cause muscle cramps, tightness or weakness, especially during activity.
In early stages, there may be no symptoms, but as PAD progresses, the following symptoms may appear:
• Leg pain when walking
• Muscle pain or cramping in the legs and calves triggered by activity
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Coldness in lower leg or foot
• Sores on toes, legs, or feet that won’t heal
• Change in the color of legs
What is the PAD Walking Program?
Over the course of 36 sessions, our Cardiopulmonary team will work with you to increase your walking distance and endurance while reducing the pain associated with PAD.
The PAD Walking Program is available in both Belmond and Clarion. A referral from your provider is needed to begin this program. To learn more, contact the Cardiopulmonary Department in Clarion at 515-532-9351 or Belmond at 641-444-5671.
Pulmonary Function
What is a Pulmonary Function Test?
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a broad range of tests used to measure how well your lungs inhale and exhale air. They help determine the presence of lung abnormalities, progression of lung disease, and a course of therapy and treatment. Pulmonary function testing includes simple spirometry, complete spirometry testing, pre- and post-bronchodilator studies, lung volumes, diffusion studies, airway resistance, and airway compliance.
How Will These Tests Help Me?
Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehabilitation
What is Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehabilitation?
The Iowa Specialty Hospital Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehabilitation Program is for patients with lung disorders. It seeks to slow down and minimize progression of the debilitating symptoms of lung disease by combining exercise with education, breathing retraining, nutritional counseling, and psychosocial support. Individualized programs can be set up for patients of all ages who suffer from any of a variety of lung disorders, such as COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or cystic fibrosis, as well as for lung transplant and lung reduction candidates.
The Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehabilitation program seeks to:
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Reduce patients' shortness of breath and the anxiety it brings
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Increase exercise tolerance and ability to perform normal daily activities
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Increase patients' understanding of their particular lung disorder
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Teach patients to master proper use of respiratory medications
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Teach patients to master proper breathing techniques
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Reduce the possibility of hospitalizations
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Instruct and motivate patients to start and maintain a home exercise program
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Promote self-reliance and independence
How the Program Works:
After a referral is received from a physician, patients receive an extensive interview, and various tests are conducted by a respiratory therapist. Testing consists of full pulmonary function studies, a six- or twelve-minute walk test with oximetry, and a simple physical assessment. Test results are reviewed with your physician. After that time, an exercise program is customized to meet the patient's needs. The Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehabilitation Program meets two days per week. During these sessions, customized exercise programs are combined with group lectures from hospital personnel and a variety of topics consistent with the patient's program. Upon completion of the program, a hospital-based program, called Phase III or Fit For Life, is set up so patients can continue to maintain progress and healthy living habits.
For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information or download the Pulmonary Rehabilitation brochure below.
Overnight Pulse Oximetry
What is Overnight Pulse Oximetry?
Overnight Pulse Oximetry, or an oxygen saturation test, measures the amount of oxygen in a patient's blood without the use of a needle. To perform the test, a small sensor is placed on the patient's finger, toe, or ear lobe. The sensor is connected to a machine that displays the oxygen saturation and the pulse rate. The test is entirely painless.
How Will This Test Help Me?
Overnight Pulse Oximetry tests are performed when there is a concern that a patient may have less than the normal amount of oxygen in the blood. This can be done overnight in the patient's own home.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information.
Stress Echocardiogram
What is an Echocardiogram?
A transthoracic echocardiogram, or echo, is a test that uses high frequency sound waves called ultrasound to examine and take pictures of the heart while it is beating. It is a safe, painless procedure that produces real-time images used to visualize and diagnose problems of the heart. The information obtained during the echo will make it possible for a cardiologist to watch the heart in motion, determine whether the heart valves are opening and closing properly, determine the size of the heart chambers and vessels, and measure the thickness of the heart walls. During most echo procedures, an additional test called a doppler echocardiography is performed to determine the direction and velocity of blood flow within the heart.
How is a Stress Echocardiogram Different?
A stress echocardiogram, or stress echo, as it is most commonly called, combines an ultrasound study of the heart with an exercise test. The test allows doctors to learn how the heart functions when it is made to work harder.
It is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce a study of the motion of the heart's chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as the ultrasound transducer is passed over the heart. This ultrasound test is performed just prior to and immediately following the exercise treadmill stress test. The results of both tests are used to determine the presence of heart disease and safe levels of exercise following a heart attack or heart surgery. Any individuals who are experiencing heart disease symptoms should see a doctor immediately. The stress echo is available to any patient with heart disease symptoms at the request of his or her physician.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information or download the Stress Echo brochure below.
Stress Testing
What is Stress Testing?
The purpose of a stress test is to determine whether your heart gets adequate blood flow during stress or exercise.
Prior to the procedure, you should avoid caffeinated beverages. However, you may eat a light meal up to two hours before exercise. It is wise to bring comfortable tennis shoes and loose-fitting pants.
When you arrive, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill until you attain your maximum level of exertion or experience symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Your blood pressure and heart rhythms will continuously be monitored.
For more information, please visit our Locations & Hours page for contact information or download the Stress Test brochure below.
