Stress-Free Test FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
No special preparation is required and no fasting.
Practice Nurse
15 minutes
During an ECG test the nurse will ask you to lay on a bed. Your skin is prepared by rubbing alcohol or shaving so that recording dots can be attached to your chest and arms. You’ll be asked to lie still and breathe normally during the test. The electrodes will record your heart’s electrical activity and this will be displayed on a monitor or printed. A cardiologist will examine the activity to determine whether it’s normal or irregular.
You may need an ECG for the following reasons:
- Diagnose irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
- Identify any structural problems with your heart’s chambers
- See how effective any previous heart surgery has been
- Determine if you have coronary artery disease
Your results will be finalised by the reporting cardiologist and then sent to your referring doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Stress Echocardiography
Wear loose comfortable clothing and walking shoes. You will need to remove clothing over your chest and you will be provided with a gown.
There is no fasting required however you should withhold the following beta blocker tables on the morning of the test:
Stop Taking:
- Atenolol (Tenormin) / Noten / Tensig
- Metoprolol / Betaloc / Minax
- Propranolol (Inderal) / Deralin
Keep Taking:
- Bisoprolol fumarate (Bicor)
- Carvedilol (Dilatrend)
- Nebivolol (Nebilet)
- Sotalol (Sotacor)
- Metoprolol XL (daily slow release)
The test is performed with both a Cardiologist and Cardiac Sonographer present.
30 minutes, however complex studies may take slightly longer
During the test the sonographer will attach an ECG to record the electrical activity of the heart both pre-test, during the treadmill phase and post exercise. A set of resting images are obtained by echocardiography with the same images repeated immediately post exercise.
The test involves a graduated walk on a treadmill which increases in speed and gradient known as the Bruce protocol. One of our Cardiologist’s will be present throughout and patients are required to only perform the amount of exercise they are comfortable with on the day.
Following the completion of exercise, you will be monitored until the heart returns to pre- test levels. During this time the Cardiologist carefully looks through the images acquired post exercise, to assess for any changes in cardiac function.
The test is performed to assess for blockages and narrowing’s of the coronary arteries which can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Once the test has been completed the cardiologist will discuss the results with you and a formal report will be sent to your referring doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
No special preparation is required and no fasting. You will need to remove clothing over your chest and you will be provided with a gown.
Cardiac Sonographer
30 minutes, however complex studies may take slightly longer
You’ll undress from the waist up and be given a gown, then will be asked to lie on an examination bed. The sonographer will attach sticky patches (electrodes) to your body to help detect and conduct your heart’s electrical currents. The sonographer will also apply a gel to the transducer that improves the conduction of sound waves. The sonographer will move the transducer back and forth over your chest to record images of sound-wave echoes from your heart. You may hear a pulsing “whoosh,” which is the ultrasound recording the blood flowing through your heart. You may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll onto your left side.
You may require this test to check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart or to check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain.
Once the images are completed by one of our sonographers they are reported on within 24-48 hours by a Cardiologist who specialises in imaging and a formal report will be sent to your referring doctor.
Frequently asked questions
24 Hour Holter Monitor
Wear loose fitting clothing. You will not be able to shower while you are wearing the monitor. You will need to make two visits, one to have the monitor fitted and the second to have it removed.
Practice Nurse
Setting up the monitor takes around 15 minutes while disconnecting the monitor the following day takes only 5 minutes.
The nurse will attach 7 leads to the chest with ECG dots placed in specific locations to best detect the hearts rhythm. The leads connect to a small recording device which sits in a pouch attached to a belt around your waist.
You may need a holter monitor if your doctor thinks there could be a problem with your heart rate or rhythm. You might have symptoms such as:
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Once returned the information recorded is downloaded and one of our technicians carefully studies the data. A report is then compiled by one of our Cardiologists before being sent to your referring Doctor.
Frequently asked questions
24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitor
Wear loose fitting clothing. You will not be able to shower while you are wearing the monitor. You will need to make two visits, one to have the monitor fitted and the second to have it removed.
Practice Nurse
Setting up the monitor takes around 15 minutes while disconnecting the monitor the following day takes only 5 minutes.
24-hour blood pressure measurement is just the same as a normal blood pressure check: a digital machine takes your blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your upper arm and then slowly releasing the pressure. The machine is small enough to be worn on a belt on your waist while the cuff stays on your upper arm for the full 24 hours.
The machine then takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day: usually, every 30 minutes during the daytime and 30-60 minutes at night. You will need to keep the monitor on through the night.
By measuring your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours, your doctor is able to get clear pictures of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day. There are a number of reasons why your doctor might suggest this test:
- They may want to find out if your high blood pressure readings in the clinic are much higher than they are away from the clinic (called the “white coat effect”).
- They may want to see how well your medicines are working, to make sure they are controlling your blood pressure through the day.
- They may want to see if your blood pressure stays high at night. If this is the case, they may need to change or adjust your medicines.
Once returned the information recorded is downloaded and one of our technicians carefully studies the data. A report is then compiled by one of our Cardiologists before being sent to your referring Doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Pacemaker / Defibrillator (AICD) Checks
No special preparation is required and no fasting. Please bring your pacemaker/defibrillator ID card to every appointment.
A cardiologist and/or pacemaker technician.
10 minutes
Your pacemaker/defibrillator leads are tested. You may feel your heart rate increase during the testing. We will also look and see if any abnormal heart rhythms have been detected.
To ensure that the device is working correctly, to monitor the battery and look for abnormal rhythm.
The cardiologist or pacemaker technician will give you your results during the appointment.
important Information
Appointment Process
To make an appointment you must have a referral from your doctor. If you don’t have one, see your doctor and they will refer you to us. Your doctor can refer using our RAPID REFERRAL methods below.
When attending appointments, it is important that you arrive 5-10 minutes early and bring the following with you:
- Letter of referral
- Medicare / DVA card
- Private health insurance details (if applicable)
- List of current medications
- General practitioner details (name, address, telephone number)
- Relevant scans / x-rays / blood test results
HAVE REFERRAL?
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment contact our office on (03) 9908 2999. Please have your referral letter handy when calling as we may need to ask further information from you.