Cardiology Consultation

Dr Vernon Freeman provides outpatient consults at Bellville Melomed Hospital. During consults Dr Freeman will take the patients full medical history and relevant family medical history. Dr Freeman will perform a physical examination that may include checking the patient’s blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Dr Freeman may do an electrocardiogram and check patient’s cholesterol. He will assess patient’s risk factors for heart problems which includes lifestyle risk factors such as age, level of physical activity and diet. Dr Freeman diagnoses, and treats patients with diseases and defects of the heart and blood vessels. Dr Freeman assists in preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Dr Freeman also helps patients manage their chronic heart conditions.

Doctor can perform tests common tests for heart function which include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG, or a Stress ECG) – a graph recording of the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes that are placed on the skin
  • Chest X-rays
  • Echocardiogram – an ultrasound of the heart
  • Cardiac Catheterization and Angiogram - An imaging technique using a long flexible catheter which is inserted through the bloodstream to deliver a dye or contrast agent into the arteries that makes the blood vessels visible on an x-ray.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • CT (Computerized Tomography) of the Heart
  • 24 hour Holter Monitor – a monitor that continuously tests and records the heart's rate and rhythm is worn for 24 hours

Doctor Freeman is a specialist who tests and treats patients with arrhythmias, using minimally invasive catheter-based procedures. Arrhythmias occur when the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. Common symptoms associated with arrhythmia include:

  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Slow or fast heart beats
  • Syncope, which is the temporary loss of consciousness or fainting caused by a fall in blood pressure.
  • Patients with heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ectopic beats, ventricular tachycardia, and inherited arrhythmias.
  • Cardiomyopathies, which is a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle