Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram (or “echo” for short) is an ultrasound of the heart which is performed by a trained Cardiac Sonographer.
It is used to diagnose and monitor certain heart conditions by checking the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analysing blood flow and assessing the pumping chambers of the heart.
You will be asked to undress to your waist (a gown can be provided) and lie on an examination bed (two-pieced clothing is preferable). A conductive gel will be applied to an ultrasound probe and moved across your chest wall. It is a non-invasive test, you will only feel some slight pressure from the transducer. You may hear a swishing noise during the scan. This is normal and is just the sound of the blood flow through your heart.
No specific preparation is required and the test will take between 20 and 40 minutes.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical signals in your heart. It’s a common and painless test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor your heart’s health. It is used to help diagnose abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and coronary artery disease. You may need an ECG if you present with many common symptons including chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, fatigue or a decline in ability to exercise.
During an ECG test:
- You’ll lie on an examination bed
- Electrodes will be attached to your arms and chest
- You’ll be asked to lie still and breathe normally
- The electrodes will record your heart’s electrical activity
- Your ECG tracing will be printed
- Electrodes will be removed and the test is completed
An ECG is a very safe procedure with virtually no associated risks. It will take just a few minutes.
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
An exercise stress echocardiogram (or “stress echo”) is a test to assess heart function under physical stress. It is used to diagnose and monitor certain cardiac abnormalities that predominantly occur with physical exertion (e.g. coronary artery disease).
Electrodes will be placed across your chest and attached to an ECG monitor. A blood pressure cuff will also be placed on your arm. You will be required to walk on a treadmill during which time you will be closely monitored. Ultrasound images of the heart will be obtained both before and after walking on the treadmill. For the ultrasound portion of the test you will be required to undress to your waist (a gown will be provided for females) and lie on an examination bed (two-pieced clothing is preferable).
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking on a treadmill. Some medications (e.g, beta-blockers) may be required to be ceased prior to this test, however, this can be discussed with your Cardiologist.
The test will take approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram is most commonly performed utilising a treadmill (exercise stress echocardiogram) to diagnose certain cardiac abnormalities that only occur with physical exertion (e.g. coronary artery disease). For people who are unable to exercise, this alternative test simulates the effect of exercise on the heart muscle using the drug dobutamine (dobutamine stress echocardiogram).
The test will be performed by a cardiologist, cardiac sonographer and a cardiac nurse. You will be asked to undress to your waist (a gown can be provided) and lie on an examination bed. A cannula will be inserted into your wrist/arm to administer the dobutamine. Your heart’s response to the dobutamine will be monitored using ultrasound imaging along with ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
Some medications (e.g, beta-blockers) may be required to be ceased prior to this test, however, this can be discussed with your Cardiologist.
Allow approximately 60 minutes.
Holter Monitoring
A holter monitor is a small portable battery operated device used to record the heart’s rhythm over a 24-hour period. This enables the recording and diagnosis of intermittent heart rhythm irregularities that may not be detected on a resting ECG alone. The importance of these irregularities can depend on when they occur, how often they occur, how long they last and if they coincide with your symptoms. Symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness (pre-syncope), fainting (syncope) and chest pain may be associated with electrical abnormalities.
A nurse/technician will apply five electrodes to the chest area (shaving and skin preparation may be required) and the monitor will then be connected to the electrodes via monitoring leads. The monitor will then be placed in a small pouch or in your pocket and is lightweight and easy to carry with you.
The holter monitor will need to be returned the following day. You may have someone drop the holter monitor back on your behalf should you wish and you will be shown how to remove the monitor if necessary. It is best to wear loose clothing where possible. You will be unable to shower while the monitor is attached. There are no risks from holter monitoring, however, mild skin irritation may occur where the electrodes make contact with your skin.
Allow 15-20 minutes for the monitor to be fitted.
24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring involves measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24 hour period while you undergo normal daily activities. A standard blood pressure cuff will be worn on your arm and attached to a small monitor which will automatically pump up every half hour during the day (8am to 10pm) and every hour at night (10pm to 8am).
Whilst wearing the monitor you should continue with your normal daily activities, including work and exercise. A top with loose sleeves will best accommodate the BP cuff. You should take all your usual medications.
Allow 10-15 minutes for the monitor to be fitted.
CT Coronary Angiogram
Recent technological developments have allowed high resolution non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries. CT coronary angiography (CTCA) provides information similar to that obtained from traditional invasive angiography without the need for a procedure. This test is currently used for the investigation of chest pain, evaluation of cardiomyopathy, and prior to non-coronary cardiac surgery including TAVI. Images can be limited in those with extensive coronary calcification, previous stents and atrial fibrillation. Invasive angiography is also preferred when there is a high likelihood of therapeutic intervention such as unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Often beta blocker and sublingual nitrate medication is used prior to the scan to improve image quality.
Cardiac MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice to characterise diseases of the heart muscle and complex congenital heart disease. It is often used to complement information obtained by cardiac ultrasound (echo). MRI has the ability to determine both the cause of heart muscle damage and potential for improvement following therapy.
- Echocardiogram
-
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram (or “echo” for short) is an ultrasound of the heart which is performed by a trained Cardiac Sonographer.
It is used to diagnose and monitor certain heart conditions by checking the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analysing blood flow and assessing the pumping chambers of the heart.
You will be asked to undress to your waist (a gown can be provided) and lie on an examination bed (two-pieced clothing is preferable). A conductive gel will be applied to an ultrasound probe and moved across your chest wall. It is a non-invasive test, you will only feel some slight pressure from the transducer. You may hear a swishing noise during the scan. This is normal and is just the sound of the blood flow through your heart.
No specific preparation is required and the test will take between 20 and 40 minutes.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
-
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical signals in your heart. It’s a common and painless test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor your heart’s health. It is used to help diagnose abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and coronary artery disease. You may need an ECG if you present with many common symptons including chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, fatigue or a decline in ability to exercise.
During an ECG test:
- You’ll lie on an examination bed
- Electrodes will be attached to your arms and chest
- You’ll be asked to lie still and breathe normally
- The electrodes will record your heart’s electrical activity
- Your ECG tracing will be printed
- Electrodes will be removed and the test is completed
An ECG is a very safe procedure with virtually no associated risks. It will take just a few minutes.
- Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
-
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
An exercise stress echocardiogram (or “stress echo”) is a test to assess heart function under physical stress. It is used to diagnose and monitor certain cardiac abnormalities that predominantly occur with physical exertion (e.g. coronary artery disease).
Electrodes will be placed across your chest and attached to an ECG monitor. A blood pressure cuff will also be placed on your arm. You will be required to walk on a treadmill during which time you will be closely monitored. Ultrasound images of the heart will be obtained both before and after walking on the treadmill. For the ultrasound portion of the test you will be required to undress to your waist (a gown will be provided for females) and lie on an examination bed (two-pieced clothing is preferable).
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking on a treadmill. Some medications (e.g, beta-blockers) may be required to be ceased prior to this test, however, this can be discussed with your Cardiologist.
The test will take approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
- Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
-
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram is most commonly performed utilising a treadmill (exercise stress echocardiogram) to diagnose certain cardiac abnormalities that only occur with physical exertion (e.g. coronary artery disease). For people who are unable to exercise, this alternative test simulates the effect of exercise on the heart muscle using the drug dobutamine (dobutamine stress echocardiogram).
The test will be performed by a cardiologist, cardiac sonographer and a cardiac nurse. You will be asked to undress to your waist (a gown can be provided) and lie on an examination bed. A cannula will be inserted into your wrist/arm to administer the dobutamine. Your heart’s response to the dobutamine will be monitored using ultrasound imaging along with ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
Some medications (e.g, beta-blockers) may be required to be ceased prior to this test, however, this can be discussed with your Cardiologist.
Allow approximately 60 minutes.
- Holter Monitoring
-
Holter Monitoring
A holter monitor is a small portable battery operated device used to record the heart’s rhythm over a 24-hour period. This enables the recording and diagnosis of intermittent heart rhythm irregularities that may not be detected on a resting ECG alone. The importance of these irregularities can depend on when they occur, how often they occur, how long they last and if they coincide with your symptoms. Symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness (pre-syncope), fainting (syncope) and chest pain may be associated with electrical abnormalities.
A nurse/technician will apply five electrodes to the chest area (shaving and skin preparation may be required) and the monitor will then be connected to the electrodes via monitoring leads. The monitor will then be placed in a small pouch or in your pocket and is lightweight and easy to carry with you.
The holter monitor will need to be returned the following day. You may have someone drop the holter monitor back on your behalf should you wish and you will be shown how to remove the monitor if necessary. It is best to wear loose clothing where possible. You will be unable to shower while the monitor is attached. There are no risks from holter monitoring, however, mild skin irritation may occur where the electrodes make contact with your skin.
Allow 15-20 minutes for the monitor to be fitted.
- 24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
-
24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring involves measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24 hour period while you undergo normal daily activities. A standard blood pressure cuff will be worn on your arm and attached to a small monitor which will automatically pump up every half hour during the day (8am to 10pm) and every hour at night (10pm to 8am).
Whilst wearing the monitor you should continue with your normal daily activities, including work and exercise. A top with loose sleeves will best accommodate the BP cuff. You should take all your usual medications.
Allow 10-15 minutes for the monitor to be fitted. - CT Coronary Angiogram
-
CT Coronary Angiogram
Recent technological developments have allowed high resolution non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries. CT coronary angiography (CTCA) provides information similar to that obtained from traditional invasive angiography without the need for a procedure. This test is currently used for the investigation of chest pain, evaluation of cardiomyopathy, and prior to non-coronary cardiac surgery including TAVI. Images can be limited in those with extensive coronary calcification, previous stents and atrial fibrillation. Invasive angiography is also preferred when there is a high likelihood of therapeutic intervention such as unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Often beta blocker and sublingual nitrate medication is used prior to the scan to improve image quality.
- Cardiac MRI
-
Cardiac MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice to characterise diseases of the heart muscle and complex congenital heart disease. It is often used to complement information obtained by cardiac ultrasound (echo). MRI has the ability to determine both the cause of heart muscle damage and potential for improvement following therapy.