Stress ECG Tests
The test involves a 5 to 10 minute walk on a motorised treadmill whilst connected to an ECG machine. Please bring shorts and comfortable shoes/ joggers. Towel and shower are available. The test is supervised at all times by a doctor. All resuscitation equipment is on hand. .
Cardiac Ultrasound (Echoes)
This involves ultasound scanning at rest. There is no exercise involved in this 30 minute test.
Stress Echocardiography
Heart images are obtained via ultrasound scanning over the left side of the chest before exercising on a treadmill then again immediately after exercise. This test takes 60 minutes.
Holter Monitor
This machine records your heart activity throughout the time you wear it. A small recorder the size of a TV remote is attached to chest leads. Loose clothing is recommended. No showering/bathing is permitted whilst the monitor is attached (16-24 hours/overnight).
Lung Function
This test has three stages and involves breathing into a machine. One of the breathing tests does require the use of a mild (and totally safe) gas mixture. A sensor is put on your finger to monitor the oxygen level in your blood. The test takes about 15 minutes.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitors
This is a small recorder connected to a blood pressure cuff on your arm. Once connected, you leave it on until the next day. The cuff pumps up every hour during the day and every second hour during the night to record your blood pressure.
Signal Averaged ECGs
This is similar to an ECG, but looks at the electrical activity of your heart to see if there is a possibility of any irregularities. This test takes about 10 minutes.
Electrocardiography (ECG)
This test records the electrical activity of your heart. Men with hairy chests will usually have to have some areas shaved for this test. This procedure only takes about 5 minutes..
PreOperative Assessments
This assessment usually involves a Stress Echocardiograph, Signal-Averaged ECG, Lung Function and a Holter Monitor. You should expect to be at the surgery for about 1½ hours.
Executive Medical Assessments
These usually involve a Stress Test and a Lung Function Test.
Note
No injections or X Rays are required for any of these investigations. No special preparation is required for these tests.
