Cardiac Services

Exercise Stress Test

The Exercise Stress Test evaluates cardiovascular response to physical stress. This test provides information on myocardial response to increased oxygen demands and coronary blood flow.

The patient dresses comfortably in loose clothing and sneakers. Food and smoking should be avoided 2–3 hours before the test. Medication should be taken as usual, unless instructed otherwise by a physician ordering the test.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a non–invasive, diagnostic, cardiac study which uses ultrasound to show the anatomical structures and blood flow of the heart. The test enables the cardiologist to assess the overall function of the heart and identify cardiac abnormalities.

A cardiac sonographer performs the study while the patient is required to lie still on their left side for approximately 30 minutes. Gel is applied to a transducer which is placed on the patient´s chest to obtain images. The images are recorded on videotape for the cardiologist to review and interpret.

Unlike other ultrasound studies, there are no requirements prior to testing.

Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear stress test is a diagnostic study used to determine if the heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs.

A nurse will call the patient prior to the day of the test and give the patient complete instructions. The patient may only have juice or water the morning of the test.

The test consists of two parts. An isotope will be administered by injection while you are at rest and a specialized camera will take pictures of your heart.

An isotope will be administered one other time during the stress portion of the test (either while walking on a treadmill or after receiving medication that stimulates stress) and additional pictures will be taken of the heart. This allows the cardiologist to compare the amount of blood flowing through the heart muscle during stress and at rest. The pictures are generally taken about half an hour or longer after the isotope is administered.

A light lunch is allowed. Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes and loose comfortable clothing is advisable.

Carotid Doppler Test

Carotid doppler is a diagnostic study used to determine if there is any plaque or blockage of the carotid arteries. A carotid doppler is a non–invasive ultrasound procedure performed by a sonographer with special training in vascular studies. The sonographer scans each side of the neck using an ultrasound probe and gel.

Each study averages about a half an hour. Unlike other ultrasound studies, there are no requirements prior to testing.

The sonographer videotapes the entire study and writes a brief report. The videotape and the report are reveiwed by the cardiologist and a formal interpretation of the study is prepared.