Sleep Services
Sleep Specialist Consultations/Reviews
Full Sleep Study or Polysomnogram (PSG)
This is the “gold standard” for sleep studies and requires the patient to spend a night at a sleep clinic. Multiple biological functions such as brain wave activity, eye movement, oxygen and carbon dioxide blood levels, heart rhythm, breathing rate, airflow, snoring, and body movement are recorded. Can be performed either as a diagnostic study or a CPAP titration study.
Home-Based Sleep Study (Ambulatory)
An abridged study which can be conducted from the privacy of a patient’s home. Whilst it does not record the same amount of information as PSG, it is appropriate for a select group of patients (e.g. less mobile patients). Our clinic uses Type II devices which are the most accurate of ambulatory devices and adheres to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines on the use of such devices.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
Measures excessive daytime sleepiness by recording how long it takes a patient to fall asleep. Patients are given 4 to 5 opportunities (20 minutes each) to fall asleep during the course of the day when they would normally be awake. For each opportunity, time to fall asleep is measured. It is used to rule out certain sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
This test measures a patient’s ability to stay awake and consists of a series of 40-minute trials, during which the patient tries to stay awake.
CPAP Management Program
We offer a comprehensive program for first time CPAP users and re-education sessions for existing patients experiencing difficulties. We also provide the sale of new and second hand CPAP devices and accessories, as well as rental and payment plans.
Cardiology Services
Cardiology Specialist Consultations/Reviews
Echocardiogram
(a.k.a 'echo') This is an ultrasound test that creates moving pictures of the heart. It allows for evaluations of how the heart is beating and pumping blood. Generally used to determine whether any abnormalities in the heart muscle or heart valves are present, as well as a patient's risk of heart disease.
Electrocardiogram
(a.k.a 'ECG') This is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is a non-invasive, painless test for determining whether a person has heart disease. It measures:
- any damage to the heart;
- how fast the heart is beating and whether it is beating normally;
- the effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (e.g. pacemaker); and
- the size and position of the heart chambers.
Stress Test
A Stress Test involves exercise on either a treadmill or bicycle to determine how well the heart works under stress. It is often used to:
- Diagnose coronary artery disease;
- Diagnose a complaint relating to chest pain, shortness of breath or light-headedness;
- Determine a safe level of exercise;
- Determine the effectiveness of procedures done to improve coronary artery circulation in patients with coronary artery disease; and
- Predict the risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as heart attack.
Stress Echocardiogram
Holter Monitoring
(a.k.a Ambulatory ECG) A Holter Monitor is a device worn by patients that continuously records the heart rhythms for between 24 and 48 hours. Generally used after a heart attack to identify heart rhythm problems and/or when starting a new heart medicine. It is also often used to diagnose:
- Atrial fibrillation/flutter;
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia;
- Palpitations;
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia;
- Reasons for fainting;
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia); and
- Ventricular tachycardia.