ECG

WHAT IS IT?

An ECG is an Electrocardiogram. The electrocardiograph is a machine with a base with lead wires that attach to electrodes. These electrodes are placed on the chest, ankles and arms in specific order. The ECG monitors the electrical activity in the heart.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test is performed to view the baseline electrical activity in the heart. It can also be used to determine if there is deficiency in oxygen supply to the heart and / or irregular heart rhythm.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

The patient is required to remove his/her shirt and socks. The skin will be prepped with alcohol to clean the required areas. The chest hair may need to be removed to apply the electrodes to the chest. The electrodes will be applied to the chest, arms and ankles. The technician will view the waveforms on the ECG and print the tracing for the physician.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST
Please refrain from applying cream or powder to the chest, upper arms or ankles.

WHAT IS IT?

This test is useful for the assessment of cardiac anatomy and function. Additionally the flow of blood through the cardiac chambers and valves is assessed for velocity and volume. Patients please refrain from applying cream or powder to your upper body prior to the test.

AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING

WHAT IS IT?

The ABPM is a monitor worn by the patient for 24 hours. The blood pressure is checked at various intervals throughout that time.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test is an invaluable diagnostic test as the blood pressure can vary over the course of the day and is influenced by several factors (activity, emotional state and environment). It permits separation of patients with normal blood pressure who experience white coat syndrome from truly hypertensive individuals requiring treatment.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test requires the patient to wear a cuff on their arm and monitor over their shoulder or waist for 24 hours.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

There is no preparation for the test.

HOLTER MONITOR

WHAT IS IT?

The Holter Monitor is a devise worn over a 24-48 hour period which is used to record the heart's rhythm.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

Holter Monitoring is used to to determine your heart's rhythm and how the heart responds to your daily activity. It is particularly helpful with catching irregular heart rhythms.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

Electrodes are applied to the chest and attached to a small recorder which is held securely in a pouch worn around the waist.

You also will be given a Diary Sheet to record any symptoms you may have while wearing the monitor. This will allow us to correlate symptoms with results on the recording.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Please do not put cream or powder on your chest on the day your monitor is applied.

LOOP MONITORING

WHAT IS IT?

The Loop Monitor is a small monitor with leads that are applied to the chest. It is kept and applied by the patient for a period of two weeks. It is used to capture cardiac events.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test is used to diagnose rhythm abnormalities. It is suitable for patients with transient occurrences of cardiac arrhythmia, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

The monitor is the size of a pager. It has two leads which attach to electrodes. These electrodes are applied to the chest. The patient can apply and remove the monitor daily on his/her own. The monitor is kept for two weeks by the patient and a button is pressed by the patient when he/she feels an event. This will record the event. Once the maximum events have been stored, the patient will return the monitor to have the events downloaded onto a computer. The monitor is then returned to the patient who will repeat this process.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

It is important for the patient to refrain from applying cream or powder to the chest prior to applying the monitor. This will ensure secure adhesion of the electrodes.

WHAT IS IT?

A stress echo is a test that takes a picture of the heart with the use of a probe placed outside your chest wall while your heart is working hard. To “stress” the heart, you will be asked to exercise using the bike or the treadmill. The pictures taken before and after your heart is “stressed” are displayed on the ultrasound machine monitor and are recorded on disk for review and comparison.

The stress echo is valuable in the assessment of function of heart muscle when the heart is working hard.

WHAT IS IT?
This simple test, called spirometry, measures air flow into and out of the lungs.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

The results demonstrate an individual's air flow rates or the volume forced out within the first second. This indicates whether or not there is airway obstruction. Spirometry also records the total volume of air forced out of the lungs. Spirometry test results are useful in making the diagnosis of a specific lung disorder. Even more important, yearly spirometry measurements help to detect lung disease at an early stage

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

A person blows very hard and fast into a tube attached to the spirometer and a computerized sensor calculates and graphs the results.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Please so not take Bronchodilators on the day of the test. You may continue with your Anti inflammatory / Controller medication.

WHAT IS IT?
This simple test, called spirometry, measures air flow into and out of the lungs. A spirometry pre/post broncho dilator is performed in the following manner: Baseline Spirometry is performed, then the patient is given a Bronchodilator and a second Spirometry is performed after a time lapse.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test is performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a Bronchodilator on the patient's lungs.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

The patient blows very hard and fast into a tube attached to the spirometer and a computerized sensor calculates and graphs the results. The patient is then given a Bronchodilator and asked to sit for 15 to 20 minutes when the second Spirometry is performed.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Please do not take Bronchodilators on the day of the test. You may continue with your Anti inflammatory / Controller medication.

STRESS TEST

WHAT IS IT?

A Stress test is sometimes also referred to as an Exercise test. The patient walks on a treadmill while a technician monitors vitals and ECG tracing.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

This test is performed to demonstrate how the heart responds to demand. It is most commonly used to diagnose Coronary Artery Disease or Exercise (or Stress) Induced Ailments. This test is also useful in deciding what level of exertion is safe for the patient.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?

The patient's skin will be prepped for the test with alcohol wipes (to clean the skin) and medical paper to abrade the top layer of the skin. Chest hair will be removed on the sites where electrodes are placed. The electrodes are then applied to the chest so the patient's ECG can be monitored during exercise. The patient will then begin to walk on the treadmill and vitals will be taken throughout the duration of the test. It is important for the patient to communicate symptoms he/she may experience during the test.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

Please do not apply cream to the chest. If you take cardiac or blood pressure medication, please do not discontinue your medication prior to the test, unless instructed to do so by the ordering physician.

STRESS ECHO

WHAT IS IT?

A stress echo is a test that takes a picture of the heart with the use of a probe placed outside your chest wall while your heart is working hard. To “stress” the heart, you will be asked to exercise using the bike or the treadmill. The pictures taken before and after your heart is “stressed” are displayed on the ultrasound machine monitor and are recorded on disk for review and comparison. The stress echo is valuable in the assessment of function of heart muscle when the heart is working hard.

WHAT IS IT?

The ankle brachial index - ABI is used to predict the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A decrease in the ABI result is an indicator that the PAD is probably present. This test is done by measuring blood pressure at the ankle and in the arm while a person is at rest. It can also be don in conjunction with exercise / stress test.

WHY IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?
This test is done to screen for peripheral arterial disease of the legs.

HOW IS THIS TEST PERFORMED?
This test consists of blood pressure readings in the arm and lower leg. A hand held doppler with ultrasonic gel is used to detect pulses.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST

There is no preparation for this test.

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