Circulatory System Procedures

Question 1

Cardiologist

Answer 1

• A physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the circulatory system, especially, the heart.
• Does not do surgery

Question 2

Hematologist

Answer 2

A physician specializing in diseases of the blood

Question 3

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

Answer 3

A printout recording of the electrical activity of the heart

Question 4

Echocardiography

Answer 4

• Uses ultra high frequency sound waves (beyond human hearing), similar to “sonar,” to form an image of the inside of the heart
• Can demonstrate valve damage, congenital (before birth) defects, and other abnormalities

Question 5

Cardiac catheterization

Answer 5

• A long hollow tube, a catheter, can be threaded into an artery up into the heart
• Material opaque to X-rays can be released into the blood flow through the heart imaging the details of coronary arteries
• Typically used to identify a blockage and location in the coronary circulation

Question 6

Phlebotomist/venipuncturist

Answer 6

• Trained nurse or technician draws blood for lab tests and may also start IV’s (intravenous fluids)
• Greek and Latin versions of “cutting into a vein”