Simple Treadmill.

What is it?

This is a diagnostic test performed on a treadmill. The patient is hooked up to an ECG monitor and BP cuff. They are then placed on a treadmill where they will walk at varying levels of speed, while their heart rhythm, rate and blood pressure are monitored.

Why we do it?

This diagnostic study is ordered to evaluate how the heart responds to increases in workload. As the level of exercise increases on the treadmill, the demand for oxygen also increases, requiring the heart to pump harder and faster. This test allows for arterial blood pressure to be measured, as well as evaluate an appropriate exercise level for each patient. This test can also be ordered to diagnose CAD, or predict the risk of heart related conditions.

How should you prepare?

Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes the day of your stress test as you will be on a treadmill.

How long does the test last?

This test can last anywhere from 6 minutes to 15 minutes.

Lexiscan Myoview Stress Test.

What is it?

A nuclear stress test uses radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart. The test measures blood flow while you are at rest and are exerting yourself, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.

The test usually involves injecting radioactive dye, then taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after exertion.

A nuclear stress test is one of several types of stress tests that may be performed alone or in combination. Compared with an exercise stress test, a nuclear stress test can help better determine your risk of a heart attack or other cardiac event if your doctor knows or suspects that you have coronary artery disease.

Why we do it?

You may need a nuclear stress test if a routine stress test didn't pinpoint the cause of symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition. Your doctor may recommend a nuclear stress test to:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease. Your coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries become damaged or diseased — usually due to a buildup of deposits containing cholesterol and other substances (plaques).

  If you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, a nuclear stress test can help determine if you have coronary artery disease and how severe the condition is.

• Guide treatment of heart disorders. If you've been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a nuclear stress test can help your doctor find out how well treatment is working. It may also be used to help establish the right treatment plan for you by determining how much exercise your heart can handle.

The nuclear stress test can help to diagnose a heart condition by giving vital information.

This data includes:

• the size of the heart chambers

• how well the heart is pumping blood

• whether there is any damage to the heart

• if there is any blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries that provide blood to the heart

• the effectiveness of any current treatment.

The test can also help determine whether the patient is suitable for a cardiac rehabilitation program, and if so, how hard they should exercise.

When is it ordered?

Patients with severe arthritis may be unable to do the physical activity required in a test with exercise. These patients may do the chemical nuclear stress test.

In a chemical stress test, the patient receives medications that either speed up the heart rate or dilate the arteries. The body responds in a similar way it would to exercise.

A radionuclide is injected into the patient's arm or hand while resting. When it has circulated through the bloodstream, a gamma camera takes pictures of the heart, while the patient is lying down motionless. As in the test with exercise, this is also known as the "rest scan" of the heart.

The doctor then administers a medication to either speed up the heart rate or dilate the arteries. When the peak heart rate is reached, the patient is injected again with a radionuclide.

When it has circulated throughout the bloodstream, the gamma camera takes more pictures. This phase of the procedure is called the "stress scan" of the heart.

As in the stress test with exercise, blocked or partly blocked arteries will show up as "cold spots."

How should you prepare?

The patient will need to fast, meaning they consume no food or drink for 4 to 6 hours before the test. They should not take any drinks containing caffeine, including tea, coffee, and sodas, in the 24 hours before the test. Some painkillers and chocolate also contain caffeine.

How long does the test last?

The test lasts for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

Exercise Myoview Stress Test.

What is it?

In the nuclear stress test with exercise, a radionuclide, such as thallium or technetium, is injected into a vein in the hand or arm.

When the radionuclide has circulated through the blood stream, a gamma camera takes pictures of the heart while the patient is lying down. This is known as the "rest scan" of the heart.

The patient then moves onto a treadmill. The treadmill starts slowly and gradually picks up speed and incline, to simulate walking or running uphill.

At peak exercise, more radionuclide is injected into the patient. When the radionuclide has passed through the blood stream, the gamma camera takes more pictures of the heart. This is known as the "stress scan" of the heart.

The radionuclide helps to identify blocked or partially blocked arteries on the scans, because blocked arteries do not absorb the radionuclide into the heart. They are known as "cold spots."

Why we do it?

You may need a nuclear stress test if a routine stress test didn't pinpoint the cause of symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition. Your doctor may recommend a nuclear stress test to:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease. Your coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries become damaged or diseased — usually due to a buildup of deposits containing cholesterol and other substances (plaques).

  If you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, a nuclear stress test can help determine if you have coronary artery disease and how severe the condition is.

• Guide treatment of heart disorders. If you've been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a nuclear stress test can help your doctor find out how well treatment is working. It may also be used to help establish the right treatment plan for you by determining how much exercise your heart can handle.

The nuclear stress test can help to diagnose a heart condition by giving vital information.

This data includes:

• the size of the heart chambers

• how well the heart is pumping blood

• whether there is any damage to the heart

• if there is any blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries that provide blood to the heart

• the effectiveness of any current treatment.

The test can also help determine whether the patient is suitable for a cardiac rehabilitation program, and if so, how hard they should exercise.

When is it ordered?

Patients with severe arthritis may be unable to do the physical activity required in a test with exercise. These patients may do the chemical nuclear stress test.

In a chemical stress test, the patient receives medications that either speed up the heart rate or dilate the arteries. The body responds in a similar way it would to exercise.

A radionuclide is injected into the patient's arm or hand while resting. When it has circulated through the bloodstream, a gamma camera takes pictures of the heart, while the patient is lying down motionless. As in the test with exercise, this is also known as the "rest scan" of the heart.

The doctor then administers a medication to either speed up the heart rate or dilate the arteries. When the peak heart rate is reached, the patient is injected again with a radionuclide.

When it has circulated throughout the bloodstream, the gamma camera takes more pictures. This phase of the procedure is called the "stress scan" of the heart.

As in the stress test with exercise, blocked or partly blocked arteries will show up as "cold spots."

How should you prepare?

The patient will need to fast, meaning they consume no food or drink for since midnight before the test. They should not take any drinks containing caffeine, including tea, coffee, and sodas, in the 24 hours before the test. Some painkillers and chocolate also contain caffeine.

How long does the test last?

The test lasts for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.