Cardiac Stress Testing

Requires an appointment you must fast for three hours prior to the exam.  Certain medications must be discontinued prior to the test.  Check with your physician to see if you need to stop your medications.

Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and trained technician to determine how your heart responds to exertion.  This test is done to detect evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle. The many different types of stress tests are listed separately. 

Exercise Stress Test

This procedure takes about one hour.  It involves walking on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty while your electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.

Stress Echocardiogram

This procedure takes about one to two hours.  The procedure is both with and without exercise.  An echocardiogram (echo) is performed in addition to the electrocardiograph. 

Nuclear Stress Test

This test takes about three hours.  The procedure is performed both with and without exercise and is associated with Nuclear Medicine Department.  A small amount of radioactive substance called a tracer is injected into the patient near the end of the test and a set of scans or pictures are performed about 30 minutes after the test is completed. (Click here for more information) (Person who clicks will be brought back to the Nuclear Medicine part of the procedure, as previously outlined)

Pharmacologic Stress Tests

This procedure takes about three hours. This test is used in people who are unable to exercise.  A drug is given to make the heart respond as if the person were exercising. It is performed in combination with either a Stress Echo or Nuclear Stress.