SARC Cardiovascular & Vein Center

10/20/2026

❤️ **When fainting needs answers: Tilt Table Testing**

Unexplained fainting or recurring lightheadedness deserves an evaluation. A tilt table test helps your healthcare provider understand how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in body position.

During testing, you’re secured comfortably on a special table that gradually tilts upright while a healthcare team monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms.

Testing may help evaluate:

✅ Unexplained fainting or near-fainting
✅ Blood pressure drops when standing
✅ Vasovagal fainting
✅ Suspected postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

Tilt table testing is one part of an evaluation. Your provider will determine whether it’s appropriate and whether other tests are needed.

📞 **Call 870-534-2900 to request an evaluation.**
**SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center**

🚨 Call 911 for fainting accompanied by chest pain, severe trouble breathing, or failure to regain consciousness promptly.

10/20/2026

WHAT CAN A LOWER EXTREMITY ARTERIAL DOPPLER SHOW?

A lower-extremity arterial Doppler—also called an arterial duplex ultrasound—is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow through the arteries in your legs.

It can help identify:

Areas of reduced blood flow
Possible arterial narrowing or blockage
Changes in blood-flow speed and waveform patterns
Changes after a PAD diagnosis or vascular treatment

Possible signs that may prompt an arterial evaluation include:

Leg aching, cramping or fatigue while walking
One foot feeling cooler than the other
Pale or discolored skin
Slow-healing sores on the feet or toes
Weak leg or foot pulses

During the test, gel is placed on the skin and a handheld ultrasound probe is moved along the leg. The examination does not use ionizing radiation.

Testing is ordered based on your symptoms, medical history, physical examination and previous results. An arterial Doppler does not determine treatment by itself.

Call SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center at 870-534-2900 to request an arterial evaluation.

A suddenly cold, pale, numb, weak or severely painful leg or foot may indicate an emergency. Call 911 or seek immediate emergency care.

Educational information only—not individual medical advice.

10/15/2026

WHAT DOES AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM LOOK FOR?

An echocardiogram—also called an echo or heart ultrasound—uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. A standard transthoracic echo is noninvasive and does not use X-ray radiation.

An echo can help your healthcare provider evaluate:

• Heart size, chambers and wall thickness
• Pumping strength, including ejection fraction and wall motion
• How the heart valves open and close
• Possible valve narrowing or leakage
• The direction and speed of blood flow
• Certain pressure estimates inside the heart
• Possible fluid around the heart

Your healthcare provider will determine whether an echocardiogram or another test is appropriate. A standard echo does not directly show whether a coronary artery is blocked.

Call SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center at 870-534-2900 to schedule a cardiovascular evaluation.

Call 911 for new or severe chest pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting or possible stroke signs.

Educational information only—not individual medical advice.

10/13/2026

Could an irregular heart rhythm be hiding?

Palpitations, recurring dizziness or unexplained fainting can be difficult to evaluate when they occur only occasionally. An implantable loop recorder is a small device placed just beneath the skin of the chest to monitor your heart rhythm over an extended period.

It may help your healthcare team compare your heart rhythm with possible symptoms such as:

* Unexplained fainting
* Recurring dizziness
* A racing, fluttering or skipping heartbeat
* Suspected intermittent arrhythmias

A loop recorder is a diagnostic monitor—not a pacemaker, defibrillator or emergency-alert system—and it does not treat an abnormal rhythm. Not everyone experiencing these symptoms needs or qualifies for one. A cardiovascular evaluation is required.

Call **SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center at 870-534-2900** to schedule an evaluation.

Call 911 for fainting accompanied by chest pain, severe shortness of breath, weakness, difficulty speaking or other possible emergency symptoms. Do not wait for the monitor to notify your healthcare team.

This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice.

10/12/2026

Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. Over time, elevated blood glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Protecting your cardiovascular health starts with knowing your ABCs:

A1C: Ask about your personal goal.
Blood pressure: Check it regularly and follow your treatment plan.
Cholesterol: Know your levels and discuss appropriate management.
Stop smoking: To***co damages the heart and blood vessels.

Possible heart attack signs include chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the back, jaw or arms. Diabetes-related nerve damage can sometimes make symptoms less noticeable.

Call 911 immediately if possible heart attack signs occur—even if you are unsure.

Call SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center at 870-534-2900 to schedule a cardiovascular evaluation. Your goals and treatment plan should be personalized with your healthcare provider.

This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice.

10/08/2026

Sleep apnea can repeatedly interrupt breathing during sleep, lower oxygen levels and prevent restorative rest. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, heart disease and stroke. NHLBI, NIH
Possible signs include:
- Frequent loud snoring
- Witnessed breathing pauses or gasping
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
These symptoms do not confirm sleep apnea. A healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study to determine whether the condition is present. NHLBI, NIH
Talk with your healthcare provider about sleep testing. To evaluate your cardiovascular health and risk factors, call SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center at 870-534-2900.
This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice.

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

Persistent swelling or heaviness in only one leg may deserve a closer look.
May-Thurner syndrome—also called iliac vein compression syndrome—occurs when the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein in the pelvis. This can restrict blood returning from the left leg and may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Possible signs may include:
- One-sided leg swelling
- Leg pain, pressure or heaviness
- Skin discoloration
- Varicose veins
- A previous or recurrent DVT
Some people have the anatomical compression without symptoms and do not require a procedure. For appropriately selected patients with significant symptoms, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to open the compressed vein and place a stent to help maintain blood flow. An evaluation and appropriate imaging are required.
Call SARC ASC at 870-534-2900 to ask whether a May-Thurner evaluation may be appropriate for you.
Sudden one-sided swelling, pain, warmth or redness requires prompt medical attention. Call 911 for difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, severe lightheadedness or fainting.

09/21/2026

Knee osteoarthritis pain can make everyday activities—walking, climbing stairs or simply standing—more difficult.

Genicular artery embolization (G*E) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure available for certain patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. During G*E, a physician guides a small catheter through an artery and treats selected abnormal blood vessels associated with inflammation around the knee.

G*E does not replace the knee joint and is typically performed as a same-day outpatient procedure. It may be considered when knee pain continues despite appropriate conservative treatment.

Not everyone is a candidate. A medical evaluation is required, and individual results and insurance coverage can vary.

Call SARC ASC at 870-534-2900 to ask whether a G*E evaluation may be appropriate for you.

*E

09/15/2026

Coronary artery disease can develop gradually—and some people may not notice symptoms until the condition becomes more serious.

Plaque buildup can narrow the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Possible warning signs may include:

• Chest pressure or discomfort
• Shortness of breath during activity
• Discomfort in the arm, neck, jaw or back
• Unusual fatigue

Recognizing changes and understanding your cardiovascular risk factors can help you know when to seek medical evaluation.

Call **SARC Cardiovascular and Vein Center** at **870-534-2900** to schedule your appointment.

If you experience possible heart attack symptoms—especially persistent chest discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or lightheadedness—**call 911 immediately**.

This information is educational and does not replace individual medical advice.