Practice Locations

Northwest Cardiovascular Associates, S.C.
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880 W. Central Rd.
Suite 7100
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: (847)392-7810
Fax: (847)392-7834

Cardiovascular Testing and Procedure Information

Patient Instructions:

FOR ALL StrESS TESTS:

No caffeine or dairy products 12 hours prior to test.
DO NOT EAT 2 hours before the test.
If you have DIABETES, ask your doctor if you should take your morning medications before the test.
If you are on a BETA BLOCKER, check with your doctor about holding this medication 24 hrs. before the test.
FOR ANY NUCLEAR StrESS TEST, YOUR ISOTOPE DOSE IS CUSTOM ORDERED. PLEASE GIVE THE OFFICE 48 HRS NOTICE IF YOU MUST CANCEL.

Regular Stress Test or Stress Echo

Test Time: 30 minutes
Preparation: Wear comfortable clothes for walking on a treadmill.
Purpose: This test measures your physical condition and heart function. You will be asked to walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed every three minutes until you have reached your target heart rate or if you indicate you can't walk anymore. For a stress echo you will have ultrasound pictures of your heart taken before you walk on the treadmill and within a minute after completing the treadmill portion.

Nuclear Stress Test

Time: 2-3 hours
Preparation: Wear comfortable clothes for walking on a treadmill.
Purpose: For some people a regular treadmill test does not provide enough information about your heart and heart circulation. In this test you will be given an intravenous injection of a radioisotope. Next, you will have pictures of your heart taken under a special camera for about 30 minutes. Following the first set of pictures you will be asked to walk on the treadmill and you will be injected with a radioisotope just prior to the end of the test. Another set of pictures will be taken 10-15 minutes later.

Adenosine Stress Test

Test Time: 2-3 hours
Preparation: Check with your doctor to find out if any other medications should be held with these tests. You may not be able to take this type of stress test, if you have ASTHMA.
Purpose: This test is performed on people who cannot walk on a treadmill. You will be injected with a radioisotope and then placed under a special camera for 30 minutes. You will then receive an injection of adenosine for 6 minutes, be injected again with the isotope and have pictures taken again in 10-15 minutes.

Echocardiogram

Test Time: 20 minutes
Preparation: Wear a loose fitting shirt.
Purpose: This test uses ultrasound waves to take pictures of the heart muscle and valves.

Carotid Ultrasound Test

Time: 20 minutes
Preparation: Wear loose fitting shirt.
Purpose: To take an ultrasound picture of the main arteries of the neck to see if there is any plaque or blockage

24 Hour Holter Monitor

Test time: 15 minutes for hookup.
Preparation: Wear a loose fitting shirt
Purpose: Detect any irregular heartbeats within 24 hours.

Event Monitor

Test Time: 15 minutes for hookup.
Preparation: None
Purpose: To allow you to trigger the device if you have any irregular heartbeats or symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness during the test. You will be given instructions on how you will send this information over the phone.