Diagnosis & Testing
Cardiac tests may cause you some anxiety as a new medical condition may be identified. We provide the following information to answer commonly asked questions and assure you that you will receive care from a highly skilled, compassionate and caring staff at San Diego Cardiac Center. Click on the bold term for a patient-friendly definition.
Clinic TestsEvent Recorder (Cardio Beeper) - You will be issued a cardio beeper for 30 days in order to record abnormal heart rhythms that occur infrequently. Keep the cardio beeper with you at all times except where it may get wet (shower, pool). At any time you notice a heart rhythm that feels "different", place the cardio beeper on your chest for a minimum of one minute. You may transmit the recorded information via a phone line immediately or at a convenient time. This information will automatically be sent to your cardiologist for analysis. Promptly return the cardio beeper to San Diego Cardiac Center as indicated.
Carotid Ultrasound - A cardiovascular technician will place a hand-held device on specific areas of your neck to create an image of the blood flow and internal condition of your carotid arteries. A gel-like substance will also be placed on your neck to ensure good interface between the hand-held device and your skin. The information is stored on a video and reviewed by a cardiologist.
For more information, visit: www.rsna.org
Echocardiogram - A cardiovascular technician will place a hand-held device on your chest to record information to show how well the heart valves and heart muscles are working. A gel-like substance will also be placed on your chest to ensure good interface between the hand-held device and your skin. An image of the heart is printed out on paper, and the motion of the heart is stored on a video.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - A nurse will place ten stickers on your chest to which electrodes will be attached. It may be necessary to shave the hair on the chest areas where the stickers are applied. The EKG machine will make a tracing of your heart's electrical activity on a sheet of paper. A cardiologist will review the tracing to determine past events of the heart, irregular heartbeats or significance of chest pain. There is no discomfort when the EKG is done except some mild discomfort when the stickers are removed.
Holter Monitor - You will be provided a holter monitor, which is the size of a hand-held cassette player and is worn for 24 - 48 hours. A nurse will place ten stickers on your chest to which electrodes will be attached. It may be necessary to shave the hair on the chest areas where the stickers are applied. The electrodes are connected to the holter monitor so that your heart's electrical activity is continuously recorded while you go about your usual daily activities. This test is useful for detecting irregular heartbeats that may not appear during an electrocardiogram at our office.
Gated Blood Pool Study (MUGA) - this test involves photographic imaging of your heart with a special camera and computer. This is an excellent means for your cardiologist to evaluate actual heart wall-motion and muscle contraction patterns. It is useful in determining the amount of blood your heart pumps during each heartbeat.
What to expect:
- Read and sign an informed consent before the test.
- You will receive an intravenous injection of a red blood cell tag substance called pyrolite.
- After 20 minutes, you will receive an intravenous injection of a harmless, radioactive substance (technetium).
- Three stickers will be placed on your chest as part of an electrocardiogram.
- You will then lie on a narrow table under our special gamma camera. This photographic imaging takes 15-30 minutes.
The test consists of three parts: a rest study, stress test and a second rest study.
What to expect:
- Read and sign an informed consent before the test.
- Initially an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your hand or arm vein to allow injection of the radioactive substance.
- After waiting 30-60 minutes, a 30-minute scan will be taken of you heart.
- Next is the stress test, which may be done two ways: with exercise or with special medicine. Exercise is done on a treadmill. At your peak exercise, a harmless, radioactive substance is injected through the IV line and you will be asked to continue exercising for one or two more minutes.
- For people who are unable to exercise on the treadmill, a special medication will be used to mimic the effect of exercise.
- Approximately 15-30 minutes after the stress test, a second 30-minute rest study is done.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for walking. Pease don't wear under wire style bras.
- Nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to the test. If you are diabetic, eat as necessary and take your medication as usual.
- Take your medications as usual, unless directed otherwise by your physician.
- No caffeine food items (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate) for 12 hours prior to the test.
Stress Echocardiogram - this test involves a treadmill test and an echocardiogram. It is done to evaluate patients with resting electrocardiogram changes and/or atypical chest pain.
What to expect:
- Read and sign an informed consent before the test.
- Ten stickers will be placed on your chest to which electrodes are attached for a continuous electrocardiogram throughout the test. It may be necessary to shave the hair on the chest area where the stickers will be attached.
- Your blood pressure will be monitored during the test.
- An echocardiogram is done by placing some gel and a probe on your chest at specified places to obtain images of the heart.
- Next you will walk on the treadmill for 10-15 minutes.
- Immediately after the treadmill walk, you will lie down on a bed and the second echocardiogram will be done.
- No smoking 4 hours prior to the test.
- Nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the test (diabetic should eat as necessary)
- Sips of water are OK as necessary.
- No alcohol the night before the test
- Take your medications as usual routine, except if you are directed otherwise by your physician.
- Wear tennis or running shoes with socks.
What to expect:
- Read and sign an informed consent before the test.
- Ten stickers will be placed on your chest to which electrodes are attached for a continuous electrocardiogram throughout the test. It may be necessary to shave the hair on the chest area where the stickers will be attached.
- Your blood pressure will be monitored during the test.
- Nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the test (diabetic should eat as necessary)
- Sips of water are OK as necessary.
- Take your medications as usual routine, except if you are directed otherwise by your physician.
- Wear comfortable clothes and tennis or running shoes with socks.
For more information, visit: www.rsna.org
Lower Extremity Arterial Ultrasound - A cardiovascular technician will place a hand-held device on specific areas of the legs (lower extremities) to create an image of the blood flow and internal condition of these arteries. A gel-like substance is used to conduct sound waves (ultrasound) to a recorder. The images are then recorded on paper and video for review by a cardiologist. In addition, blood pressures will be obtained from the arms and ankles and compared. This is termed the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and is used to determine if blood flow in the legs is adequate.
Hospital Tests
Angiogram (Cardiac Catherization) - this test may be done as an outpatient or an inpatient at the hospital.
What to expect:
- Have nothing to eat or drink for 8 hrs prior to the procedure. You may have sips of water to take your medications.
- Take your routine medications only as directed by a San Diego Cardiac Center nurse.
- Report to the Admissions Office at Sharp Memorial Hospital 2-3 hours prior to the scheduled time of the procedure.
- Bring your insurance card and personal hygiene items to the hospital. It is best not to bring your wallet, purse and other valuables.
- Your nurse at the hospital will review the procedure with you and have you sign a consent form at that time.
Electrophysiology Study - this test may be done as an outpatient or inpatient at the hospital.
What to expect:
- Have nothing to eat or drink for 8 hrs prior to the procedure. You may have sips of water to take your medications.
- Take your routine medications only as directed by a San Diego Cardiac Center nurse.
- Report to the Admissions Office at Sharp Memorial Hospital 2-3 hours prior to the scheduled time of the procedure.
- Bring your insurance card and personal hygiene items to the hospital. It is best not to bring wallet, purse and other valuables.
- Your nurse at the hospital will review the procedure with you and have you sign a consent form at that time.
Tilt Table Test - this test may be ordered if you have recurrent fainting spells. The test is done in the hospital and monitors your body's responses to changes in body positions that may mimic the circumstances surrounding a fainting spell.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Performed at the hospital, a probe is placed down the esophagus, which lies adjacent to the heart. This special echocardiogram shows the actual shape and contraction of the heart muscle, and the flow of blood through the heart chambers and valves. These pictures are of a better quality than an echocardiogram.