Diagnostic Tests

This is a simple test in which electrodes are placed on the chest, arms and legs to record the electrical activity of the heart. It shows heart rate and rhythm, and can show evidence of a heart attack. It takes 10 – 15mins and no preparation is required.

An echo is an ultrasound of the heart. This test provides images, which can show the size, shape and how the heart is functioning. An echo is usually done to assess the function of the heart and the assessment of heart disease, chest pain, palpitations and murmurs. It usually takes around 40mins. In order to perform the ultrasound, the sonographer or Cardiologist will need to place the imaging probe at different sites on your chest. It is advisable to wear appropriate clothing to facilitate changing into an examination gown for this study.

A bubble saline contrast echocardiogram is a test often performed when a hole between the top chambers of the heart (patent foramen ovale) is suspected. Alternative reasons to perform this test may be for the identification of small holes between blood vessels in your lungs (known as pulmonary arterio-venous malformations) and a history of complex heart surgery. The bubble saline helps to provide your sonographer and doctor with a clearer picture of any heart defects or functional problems.

The doctor or sonographer will insert a thin, plastic tube (a cannula) into a vein in your left arm. You may already have had an echocardiogram performed. A bubble saline contrast echocardiogram is similar but during this procedure a small sample of agitated saline solution (sterile salty water) is injected through the thin plastic tube in your arm. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the test. This may be repeated several times while the sonographer does echocardiogram. The whole procedure lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Similar to an ECG it provides information on the heart rate and the rhythm. However, it does this over a prolonged period of time. Shown below are some examples of findings on holter monitoring. You may be asked to wear this for just 24 hours or a few days depending on the indications for the test.

Echocardiography uses sound waves to generate images of the heart that provide information on how well it works. In some instances, it is valuable to assess how well different parts of the heart function with exercise. The most common example is when there is concern that there may be a narrowing in one of the arteries supplying the heart with blood. In this case the heart pump’s strength may be normal at rest, but when the heart is put under stress by exercise, the part of the heart affected by the narrowed artery may weaken its strength of contraction. The detection of this sort of abnormality by exercise stress echocardiography can help to guide your treatment.

Echocardiography uses sound waves to generate images of the heart that provide information on how well it works. In some instances, it is valuable to assess how well different parts of the heart function with exercise. The most common example is when there is concern that there may be a narrowing in one of the arteries supplying the heart with blood. In this case the heart pump’s strength may be normal at rest, but when the heart is put under stress by exercise, the part of the heart affected by the narrowed artery may weaken its strength of contraction. The detection of this sort of abnormality by exercise stress echocardiography can help to guide your treatment.