| Cardiology Associates of Central CT, LLC Stress Test ... Last updated: Friday, May 19, 2006 04:31 PM |
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Stress Test ...
- An exercise stress test is done under the direct supervision of the cardiologist. For
this test, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill while your heart is being monitored
by a continuous ECG recording. A highly trained cardiology technician will assist the
doctor with your test.
Exercise tests are not uncomfortable. The test never requires you to exercise beyond your abilities. The length and difficulty of the test is tailored to each individual patient. The entire test usually takes less than thirty minutes and most people walk on the treadmill for 6 to 12 minutes. The results of the test are available immediately and will be communicated to you and your primary care physician promptly.
- Stress Echo combines cardiac ultrasound with the standard treadmill test to assess the impact of exercise on the function of your heart. The ultrasound may provide additional diagnostic information regarding the condition of your heart. This is especially useful when the ECG cannot be reliably interpreted. The test involves obtaining ultrasound pictures of the heart before and immediately after exercise. The test is usually performed in under an hour and the results are available immediately.
- Dobutamine Stress Echo is a test that can be used for patients who cannot walk
adequately on a treadmill. For this test a medication called dobutamine
is used to stress the heart. An intravenous, or Iv, line is started and ultrasound
images of the heart are taken while the medication is administered. Patients are
monitored throughout the test by the cardiologist and the results are immediately
available.
Instructions:
- Please do not eat or drink within four hours of your test.
- Please do not smoke within four hours of your test.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the test.
- Ask the doctor who ordered the stress test if you should avoid taking any of your medications the day of the test.
- If required by your insurance plan, please bring any necessary referral paperwork.