DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound study of the heart in motion.

1. Allow approximately 30 minutes for the exam.
2. Wear two-piece clothing.

A stress echocardiogram is a non-invasive exercise test which also involves ultrasound pictures (echo of the heart at rest and at exercise). This test involves the ability to walk on a treadmill.

1. Allow approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours for the exam.
2. Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours before the exam.
3. Wear two-piece clothing along with comfortable tennis shoes.
4. Bring all current medications or a list of current medications including the doses.
5. Bring a jacket or sweater as many of patients find our office cold.

This is a non-invasive exercise test which also involves ultrasound pictures. It is similar to stress echo except no treadmill is used. An IV is started and a medication is given called Dobutamine which will gradually increase the heart rate to simulate exercise.

1. Do not take any Beta Blockers for 24-48 hours before the test. (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services).
2. Allow approximately 1 – 1 ½ hrs for exam.
3. Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours before the exam.
4. Wear two-piece clothing.
5. Bring all current medications or a list of current medications including the doses.

This is a non-invasive exam. It is an ultrasound of the arteries in the neck to evaluate blood flow to the brain.

1. Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam.

A venous Doppler study is an ultrasound test to look for blockages or narrowing inside the leg veins.

1. Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam.

This is an ultrasound test to examine the blood flow through the arteries of the legs. Part of the exam may involve the use of a treadmill.

1. Allow approximately 30-45 minutes for exam.

This is an ultrasound test to examine the blood flow through the arteries of the legs. Part of the exam may involve the use of a treadmill.

1. Allow approximately 30-45 minutes for exam.

This is an exercise test that can involve walking on a treadmill or moving in one place to measure the heart’s electrical activity. All patients must not take the beta blockers 2 days prior to test. (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services).

This is an exercise test involving walking on a treadmill while the speed and incline are gradually increased.

1. Allow approximately 1 hour for exam.
2. Wear two-piece clothing and comfortable tennis shoes.
3. Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours before the exam.
4. No Beta Blockers for 24 Hrs. (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services).
5. Do not drink any beverage that contains caffeine, or decaf beverages, 24 hours prior to test.(Coffee, cola, cocoa, tea, etc).
6. Do not take medications that contain caffeine, such as Excedrin.

A tilt table test is done to identify the causes of fainting or syncope. The test involves standing against a flat table (bed) with a foot support at a 60 degree angle for 40 minutes. As a precautionary measure, an IV is inserted before the test begins in the event of fainting during the test. An electrocardiogram (EKG) will be performed during the test to monitor the hearts activity and a blood pressure cuff is used to monitor blood pressure. All symptoms are monitored and recorded during the test.

1. Allow approximately 1 hour for the test.
2. Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to the test.
3. Do not take any blood pressure medications the morning of the test.
4. Wear comfortable clothing.

This is an exercise test involving walking on a treadmill while the speed and incline are gradually increased accompanied by an IV infusion of an imaging agent which allows a camera to visualize the blood supply to the heart muscle and observe its function before and after exercise.

1. Test will take 3-4 hours.
2. Nothing to eat after midnight. Do not drink any beverage that contains caffeine, or decaf beverages, 24 hours prior to test. (Coffee, cola, cocoa, tea, etc). Do not take medications that contain caffeine, such as Excedrin.
3. Be sure to mention if you have a history of asthma or breathing disorders.
4. Do not take any medications that contain theophylline (Theo-Dur) for 48 hours before test. If you are unable to go without your medication, go ahead and take it. Please inform the technician if you have taken your medicine.
5. Bathe or shower night before, or morning of test. Deodorant may be worn. No powder, lotions, or body oils.
6. Comfortable, two-piece clothing (allow for EKG hook-up). No metal buttons or snaps on shirt, no underwire bras. Tennis shoes are best for walking on treadmill. Bring a jacket or sweater.
   Please do not bring small children with you on the day of the test, as we do not have accommodations to watch them.
7. Do not take any beta blockers (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services) the morning of test. (see list provided).

This is an exercise test accompanied by an IV infusion of an imaging agent which allows a camera to visualize the blood supply to the heart muscle and observe its function before and after exercise. This test is similar to stress myocardial imaging without the use of a treadmill. Lexiscan or Dobutamine are used to simulate exercise. An injectable drug is used to induce stress (Lexiscan or Dobutamine) for heart imaging in patients unable to undergo an exercise stress test

1. Test will take 3-4 hours.
2. Nothing to eat after midnight. Do not drink any beverage that contains caffeine, or decaf beverages, 24 hours prior to test. (Coffee, cola, cocoa, tea, etc). Do not take medications that contain caffeine, such as Excedrin.
3. Be sure to mention if you have a history of asthma or breathing disorders.
4. Do not take any medications that contain theophylline (Theo-Dur) for 48 hours before test. If you are unable to go without your medication, go ahead and take it. Please inform the technician if you have taken your medicine.
5. Bathe or shower night before, or morning of test. Deodorant may be worn. No powder, lotions, or body oils.
6. Comfortable, two-piece clothing (allow for EKG hook-up). No metal buttons or snaps on shirt, no underwire bras. Tennis shoes are best for walking on treadmill. Bring a jacket or sweater.
   Please do not bring small children with you on the day of the test, as we do not have accommodations to watch them.
7. Do not take any beta blockers the morning of test. (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services).

• Acebutolol (Sectral®)
• Atenolol (Tenormin®)
• Betaxolol (Kerlone®, Betoptic®)
• Bisoprolol (Zebeta®)
• Carteolol (Ocupress®)
• Carvedilol (Coreg®, Coreg CR®)
• Esmolol (Brevibloc®)
• Labetalol (Trandate®, Normondyne®).
• Levobunolol (Betagan®)
• Metipranolol (OptiPranolol®)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol-XL®)
• Nadolol (Corgard®)
• Nebivolol (Bystolic®)
• Penbutolol (Levatol®)
• Pindolol (Visken®).
• Propranolol (Inderal®, Inderal LA, InnoPran XL®)
• Sotalol (Betapace®, Sorine®)
• Timolol (Betimol®, Blocadren®, Istalol®, Timoptic®).

This is an exercise test that involves riding on a stationary bicycle where resistance is gradually increased. Measurements are made of both cardiac (heart) and pulmonary (lungs) functions.

1. Allow approximately 1 hour for exam.
2. Wear two-piece clothing and comfortable tennis shoes.
3. Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours before the exam.
4. No Beta Blockers for 24 Hrs. (Refer to “Beta Blockers” under Services).
5. Do not drink any beverage that contains caffeine, or decaf beverages, 24 hours prior to test. (Coffee, cola, cocoa, tea, etc). Do not take medications that contain caffeine, such as Excedrin.

This is s test where only pulmonary function is measured. This test does not involve any exercise.

A beeper sized device that records the heart rhythm for a 24 or 48 hour period. Electrodes are placed on the chest while the recorder is worn in a small pouch over the breast bone.

1. Allow 15 minutes for application.
2. Wear two-piece clothing.
3. Monitor must be returned PROMPTLY upon completion.

An event recorder is a device that records the heart’s rhythm. Event recordings are issued for 30 days, and are used when rhythms cannot be recorded at the office with an EKG or happen so infrequently that a 24 hour holter may not be able to pick them up.

1. Event recorders are mailed to your house with instructions on how to use.