Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and hospitalization in Canada, and early detection through non-invasive imaging and diagnostic testing plays a major role in protecting long-term heart health. Whether your doctor has referred you for a routine check or you are experiencing symptoms that warrant investigation, understanding what each test involves can make the process much less intimidating.

At King City Diagnostic Imaging, we offer a range of cardiology and vascular imaging services designed to give your physician a clear picture of how your heart and blood vessels are functioning.

• ECG (electrocardiogram): a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart
• Echocardiogram: an ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and how well it is pumping
• Holter monitor: a portable ECG worn over 24-48 hours to catch irregular rhythms
• Vascular ultrasound: sound-wave imaging of arteries and veins to check blood flow and detect blockages or clots

Your physician may order one or more of these tests depending on your symptoms, risk factors, and medical history. Our cardiology imaging services include ECG, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring, all performed by experienced technologists in a comfortable, private setting.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical signals of your heart in just a few minutes and can reveal irregular rhythms, prior heart attacks, or strain on the heart muscle. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to visualize the heart’s chambers, valves, and pumping function in real time, helping identify structural issues such as valve disease or reduced ejection fraction. A Holter monitor is worn for one to two days to capture rhythm abnormalities that a brief in-office ECG might miss.

Vascular ultrasound is a painless, radiation-free way to evaluate blood flow through your arteries and veins. It is commonly used to check for carotid artery narrowing (a risk factor for stroke), peripheral arterial disease in the legs, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Learn more about how the exam works and how to prepare on our vascular ultrasound page.

While routine testing is often preventive, some symptoms warrant prompt medical attention rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment. Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness, fainting, or a rapid or irregular heartbeat that does not resolve should be assessed by a physician or emergency service right away. For general population-level information on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention, the Public Health Ontario cardiovascular disease resource is a helpful reference.

For non-urgent concerns, your family doctor can determine which cardiac or vascular imaging test, if any, is appropriate for your situation.

Most cardiology and vascular ultrasound exams at King City Diagnostic Imaging are covered under OHIP with a physician requisition. You can review what OHIP covers on the Government of Ontario website. If you have a requisition in hand, you can book directly online, or contact our team if you have questions about preparation or wait times.

Explore our full range of diagnostic imaging services to learn more about what we offer.