Electrocardiogram "ECG"

Stickers (electrodes) connected to a recorder are attached to your legs, arms, and chest to record heart tracings. This gives doctors information about different aspects of your heart. This may require shaving the hair so they stick well and will take about 5 minutes.

​

Exercise Treadmill Test "ETT" or "Stress Test"

This test checks for blockages in the heart arteries. Stickers (electrodes) connected to a recorder are attached to your legs, arms, and chest to record heart tracings while you exercise on a treadmill. This may require shaving the hair so they stick well and will take about 30 minutes. A cardiology technologist will perform the test. The treadmill starts slowly and gradually gets faster and steeper and you can stop at any time.

To prepare for the test: 

• Have only a light snack in the 2-3 hours before the test

• Bring comfortable shoes and clothes for walking

• Hold medications only if instructed to do so

​

24-hour Holter Monitor "Holter"

This test checks the heart rate and rhythm over 24 hours using stickers (electrodes) attached to your chest and to a device the size of a deck of cards. This may require shaving the hair so they stick well. It will take about 10 minutes to put the monitor on. While wearing the monitor, you should do your normal activities and record symptoms in a diary (short of breath, irregular heart beats, chest discomfort, lightheadedness) and what you were doing (walking, eating, etc). You MUST NOT shower, bathe or swim to avoid getting the device wet. Please return the monitor after 24 hours.

​

Cardiac Event Monitor "SpiderFlash"

This test checks the heart rate and rhythm over 2-4 weeks using stickers (electrodes) attached to your chest and to a device the size of a deck of cards. This may require shaving the hair so they stick well. It will take about 10 minutes to put the monitor on. While wearing the monitor, you should do your normal activities and press the button and record in a diary if you have symptoms (short of breath, irregular heart beats, chest discomfort, lightheadedness) and what you were doing (walking, eating, etc). You can remove the monitor to bathe or shower as you will have extra electrodes to re-apply. While the monitor is on, you MUST avoid getting it wet.

​

Nuclear Stress Test "MIBI"

This test checks for blockages in the heart arteries when a treadmill stress test is not suitable. Stickers (electrodes) connected to a recorder are attached to your legs, arms, and chest to record the heart tracings. This may require shaving the hair so they stick well. We will give you a trace amount of radioactive material through your vein at rest and also after you exercise. A variation of the test uses a medication instead of exercise. The test may take up to 4 hours. The radioactive material leaves your body over 2 weeks.

To prepare for the test: 

• 24 hours before the test, stop all caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, decaf coffee and tea, cola, chocolate, Tylenol #1,2,3)

• 4 hours before the test, do not eat or drink, except sips of water and medications

• Bring snacks or money to buy snacks, and bring your medications

• Bring an interpreter if you have trouble understanding English

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes

​

Echocardiogram "Echo"

This is an ultrasound of your heart that gives information on your heart function and valves. You will wear a hospital gown and lie on a stretcher. A trained technologist will use a plastic wand over your chest to get different views of your heart. This is not painful. The test takes about 30 minutes. There is no special preparation. To change your appointment at St. Paul's Hospital, call 604-806-8018.

​

Coronary CT angiogram "CCTA" or "Cardiac CAT Scan"

This test is a 360 degree x-ray of your heart and is a non-intrusive way to look for blockages in the heart arteries. You will receive a contrast dye through your vein to light up the arteries. The test may take up to 2-3 hours. To change your appointment at St. Paul's Hospital, call 604-806-8071.

To prepare for the test: 

• Dr. Chou may give you a medication called "metoprolol" to slow down your heart rate for the test and may be taken the day before and/or the day of the test

• Avoid Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis for 3 days before the test

• Avoid caffeine for 12 hours before the test

• No eating or drinking 2 hours before the test

• Arrange transportation to and from the test
• Avoid operating heavy machinery and drinking alcohol for 12 hours after the test

• Bring an interpreter if you have trouble understanding English

• Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time

​​

Coronary angiogram "Cath"

This test is the gold standard to look for blockages in the heart arteries, which may be treated with stents to open the blockage. You will receive freezing at the wrist or groin and the cardiologist will insert a tube through your artery and into the heart. Special dye will be injected to light up the heart arteries. To change your appointment at St. Paul's Hospital, call 604-806-8400.

To prepare for the test: 

• No solid food after midnight the night before the test

• Drink lots of clear fluids and stop 3 hours before the test

• Bring an interpreter if you have trouble understanding English

• Have someone accompany you after the test and stay with you overnight

• Hold medications only if instructed to do so

​