|
Non-Invasive Diagnostic
Procedures
Stress Test
A stress test is also known as a cardiac
stress test, exercise EKG, exercise tolerance
test or a treadmill. It is performed to
help physicians detect heart problems that
may not be apparent when the heart is at
rest. The patient walks on a treadmill to
increase their heart rate, and information
is recorded before, during and after walking.
The results give information on how well
blood is able to flow to the heart muscle
and helps determine the probability of coronary
artery disease.
Specialty Stress Test
Nuclear Stress Test
This is a type of Stress Test where special
images are taken before and after exercise.
These images show areas of the heart that
may not be receiving enough blood flow due
to coronary artery disease.
- A radioactive
substance such as thallium or sestamibi
is given through an IV site during a predetermined
time, usually near the time of peak exercise.
Once the substance is given, the patient
lies under a camera for approximately
20 – 30 minutes.
Usually, a patient will
have to lie under the camera two times,
once at rest (either before exercise or
an hour or so after exercise) and once immediately
after exercise while the heart rate is still
up.
(place “What to Expect” button
here and link to the information below)
What’s
Next |
