Seeing With Sound

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PacMed Cardiovascular Laboratory is participating in the national campaign to increase awareness of medical ultrasound.

Ultrasound is the second most utilized form of diagnostic imaging today. Doctors use ultrasound widely in women and men of all ages to gain advanced insights into the inner workings of the body. By beaming high-frequency sound waves from a small probe, physicians can translate the "echoes" that bounce off body tissues and organs into "sound you can see," colorful, visual images that provide valuable medical information.

By using ultrasound, doctors may be able to pinpoint trouble spots and help patients avoid life-threatening conditions, such as heart disease and stroke, which are the number one killers of Americans and cause of serious, long-term disability, according to the American Heart Association. For example, a doctor can image the heart to detect muscle damage, valve abnormalities, and other cardiac abnormalities. By imaging the carotid arteries, doctors can check for plaque build-up, a cause of stroke and sign of possible underlying heart disease.

About the PacMed Cardiovascular Laboratory

The Cardiovascular Laboratory first opened at the First Hill/Madison clinic in 2005. Since then, the number of patients PacMed serves has grown, and so has our network of services. Cardiac and vascular services have expanded to include two satellite sites - Canyon Park and Renton. The laboratory is nationally accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Cardiac Laboratories (ICAEL) and Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). All of our sonographers and interpreting physicians are also nationally credentialed professionals. You can read more here.

Jeffrey Gibbs, MD, FACC, RPVI, serves as the Medical Director of the laboratory, and interprets the studies along with Joshua Buckler, MD, FACC and Philip Massey, MD. Our friendly and professional sonographers perform the tests and help put patients at ease.

Take an Active Role in Your Ultrasound Exam and PacMed Services

As a patient, you can (and should) take an active role in ensuring your ultrasound provides the most diagnostic information possible. This starts with asking questions about what is involved with these procedures and following all pre-exam instructions, such as fasting beforehand.

The Cardiovascular Laboratory encourages patients to ask questions about ultrasound imaging and services. Please call (206) 505-1300, or ask your doctor or sonographer if you have any questions or concerns.

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is sponsored by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), and Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU), who share the common goal of increasing the public’s knowledge about medical ultrasound and promoting its importance in health care.