Healthy Steps
"Everyone at this practice is very professional, detail oriented, and friendly. They really hear your concerns and thrive to make you feel 100% taken care of."
Dr. Husna Baksh is amazing and she keeps awesome people around her. She's knowledgeable, funny, and full of energy. She truly cares about her patients and thoroughly makes sure her patients are doing well.
"I just had a wonderful experience at Healthy Steps. I have many chronic health issues that can be complex and difficult to manage. Dr. Baksh took the time to listen and work with me to determine the best course of treatment. It was a very collaborative appointment."
"I'm thankful for Dr Baksh and her staff who provide extraordinary care and competence."
"The staff at Healthy Steps is excellent. They introduce themselves; explain what they are doing and why; and always treat me with respect. They listen to my questions and answer them fully."
*Procedures are temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19
Diagnostic Partners
Every Monday, a Diagnostic Partners technician and our staff work together to provide the following ultrasounds. We aim to provide the highest quality of care and convenience possible to our patients by offering these exams in our own office! Please feel free to ask us any questions if we have recommended any of the following procedures:
- Thyroid Ultrasound: evaluates for thyroid enlargement, nodules, and possibility of Thyroid cancer
- 2d Echo / Echocardiogram: evaluates the heart in a 2 dimensional view to check for abnormalities of its anatomical structures (ex: muscle walls and valves)
- Carotid Doppler: evaluates the blood vessels (carotid arteries) which take oxygen to the brain
- AAA: evaluates the large blood vessel which arises from the heart to take oxygen to the body (abdominal aorta)
- ABI / Arterial Study: evaluates the blood vessels (arteries) to the legs to see if there are any blockages
- Venous Study: evaluates the blood vessels (veins) to the legs to see if there is “leakage” or reverse flow in the veins
Other Procedures
- Holter Monitor: monitors your heart events for 24 hours. If you are having this study done, please make sure to fill out the holter diary as directed and bring back for proper interpretation of results
- Home Sleep Study: evaluates your sleep patterns for obstructive sleep apnea, all in the comfort of your own home. Please make sure to ask about this study if you are having excessive daytime fatigue, snoring or difficulty sleeping. Sleeping and the regeneration process our body undergoes during these overnight hours are critical for our overall well being!
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test & Pulmonary Function Test (CPET)
Heart Health Matters!
Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease process that starts early in life and results in diminished circulation throughout the body over time. It is the leading cause of death in men & women and the #1 cost of the healthcare system. They key to a healthy, productive life is to identify the problem early and to treat it aggressively before a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, dementia & loss in sexual function occur. Our goal is to keep you healthy, out of the hospital and to minimize long-term costs for you and the healthcare system.
How can a CPET help you?
The Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) is a safe, non-invasive test that measures how well your heart and lungs function during exercise. We will use this information to:
- Detect early stage heart disease before you have complications
- Establish a baseline to guide future management of your health
- Customize your medications and therapies to improve symptoms and ensure good circulatory health for years
- Get a personalized exercise prescription
What is involved in a CPET?
You will pedal a stationary exercise bicycle for approximately 15 minutes, starting with a warm up, increasing in difficulty as the test progresses. EKG electrodes will monitor and analyze your heart rhythms. A mask will monitor your breathing (tell the technician if you are claustrophobic). A blood pressure cuff on your arm will monitor your blood pressure.
Lungs are Important Too!
Asthma & COPD are common respiratory disorders. Both can make it difficult to breath (shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and chronic cough). Smoking causes a slow, gradual decline in lung function. A well-performed Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) can provide insight into the health of your lungs and quantify disease severity. Damage to your lungs cannot be reversed. A proper diagnosis and treatment are important to maintain a high quality of life.
What is involved in a PFT?
A PFT is composed of several different test procedures and lasts approximately 45 minutes. During each procedure, you will be asked to breath through a mouthpiece. Some of the procedures include:
- Spirometry measures airflow in the lungs. The test involves taking a full breath into your lungs and blowing the air out as fast and as hard as you can.
- Maximum Voluntary Ventilation requires rapid breathing for a few seconds.
- Pulmonary Circulation Assessment requires holding your breath for a few seconds.
- Lung Volumes involves breathing 100% oxygen for several minutes.
Why should I do both a CPET & PFT?
A combined CPET and PFT is the most accurate noninvasive test to assess heart and lung function at rest as well as during exercise. It is the gold standard to quantify exercise capacity (which determines how long you live) and to determine the exact mechanism of exercise intolerance (symptoms). The total time required to perform both a CPET and PFT is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How do I get the best test results?
It is extremely important that you listen carefully to the technician, and give your best effort to accurately assess your condition. If you feel that you cannot continue the test, tell the technician and the test will be stopped.
Putting forth an excellent effort will help to ensure that we get the most precise data for the best possible treatments to manage your condition.
What health conditions will prevent testing or interfere with testing?
The stationary bike is an excellent alternative to the traditional treadmill exercise test. The exercise bike places less stress on your joints and eliminates safety concerns if you have balance difficulties.
Most people are able to perform a CPET and PFT without complications unless you are unable to walk or stand. Be sure to give your best effort to ensure the most accurate test results.
On the day of the test….
- DO NOT eat or drink anything, including caffeine, for at least 3 hours prior to testing. You may drink water as need. If you are diabetic and need to eat, you may consume a light snack no less than 2 hours prior to testing.
- Take your medications as normal unless specifically instructed differently by any of our providers.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you!
- Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes that are appropriate for exercise. Avoid wearing a skirt, dress, high heels, or one-piece body suits.
- Feel free to bring a water bottle for after the test.
