Cardiology Tests

Cardiopulmonary Stress Test

A cardiopulmonary stress test examines how well the heart and lungs are working during activity. The test is done on a treadmill or stationary bike. The patient is connected to a cardiac monitor, a blood pressure cuff and a small clip on one finger. Patients also wear a mouthpiece that measures the oxygen going in and the carbon dioxide going out - this is called "gas exchange." A cardiopulmonary stress test may be done to explain shortness of breath, detect heart or lung failure, or to help develop an exercise program.

Cardiac Exercise Stress Test

Sometimes heart trouble is easier to detect during physical activity than when a person is at rest. A cardiac stress test studies heart function during exercise on a treadmill. This test is used to find abnormalities in heartbeat rhythms or blood flow. Sticky electrodes are connected to the chest, shoulders and hips to measure heart activity, which is displayed on an electrocardiogram or ECG machine. The treadmill begins slowly and gradually increases speed until the patient reaches his or her target heart rate or develops significant discomfort.

Cardiac Event Monitor

Random or irregular heart trouble may not appear on command in the doctor's office. Yet doctors can study the trouble when it happens by prescribing a cardiac event monitor. This is a small device the size of a pager, connected to sticky electrodes, which a patient wears for 30 days. When he or she experiences random heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath, the patient simply presses a button to record heart rhythms. Then using a phone, the patient can send the report instantly to the cardiac testing lab.

Holter Monitor

A holter monitor is a device worn for a 24-hour period to record heart rhythms. Sticky electrodes connect from the monitor to the patient's chest. The monitor fits in a pocket or a small pouch worn around the neck or waist. As the monitor records heart data, the patient also takes notes of symptoms and activity. After 24 hours, the patient returns the monitor to the doctor's office. A holter monitor may be used to diagnose irregular heartbeat, palpitations or reasons for fainting.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can record, display and print visual illustrations of heart rate and heartbeats. An ECG may be done while a person is resting or exercising (called a stress test). Sticky electrodes are connected to the chest. These detect the heart's rhythms and transmit electrical data to the ECG machine. An ECG is helpful in diagnosing heart disease, detecting irregular heartbeats or evaluating a heart's response to medication.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.