Stress Test Specialist

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Cardiologists & Vein Care located in Santa Monica, CA

Heart disease is responsible for two out of every 10 deaths in Florida. To better understand symptoms or diagnose heart disease, you may need stress testing. Satish Sivasankaran, MD, MRCP(UK), FACC, MBA, or Dr. Siva, at Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein in New Port Richey, Florida, is an experienced interventional cardiologist. He performs three types of stress testing to ensure you get the answers you need. To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist that puts your needs first, call the office or book an appointment online today.

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Stress Test Q & A

What is stress testing?

Stress testing is a diagnostic test that determines if you have a blockage in the arteries of your heart. Your doctor may recommend stress testing if you have chest pain or shortness of breath.

What are the types of stress testing?

At Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein, Dr. Siva offers three types of stress testing:

Exercise stress test

During an exercise stress test, Dr. Siva assesses heart health while you run on a treadmill. To prepare for the test, he reviews your medical history, usual exercise habits, and measures your resting blood pressure and heart rate.

Dr. Siva then attaches electrodes to your chest that hook up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, which measures the electrical activity of your heart. Dr. Siva has you walk on a treadmill and slowly increases the speed until you’re running.

You continue to exercise until you reach a target heart rate. Dr. Siva then evaluates the information collected from your EKG to assess heart health.

Nuclear stress test

The nuclear stress test combines the exercise stress test with a special camera that captures images of your heart and arteries before and after you exercise.

During your nuclear stress test, Dr. Siva injects an isotope into your body that goes to your heart and allows him to clearly see images of your heart. If an area of the heart has a blockage, the heart muscle does not receive the isotope.

Medical stress test

If you have an abnormal EKG or your doctor determines you can’t walk on a treadmill, you may need a medical stress test. During this type of testing, Dr. Siva gives you a medication called adenosine or Lexiscan®, which dilates the blood vessels of the heart.

If a section of your heart has a blockage, then the blood vessel won’t dilate and receives less isotope, which the special camera captures as an image.

You don’t go on a treadmill during a medical stress test. However, this test takes about four hours.

Dr. Siva also advises that you not drink coffee up to 24 hours before the test because it interacts with the medication.

Stress testing is not the same as an echocardiogram. However, both tests provide complementary information.

How do I prepare for stress testing?

Dr. Siva provides specific guidelines on how to prepare for your stress testing during your initial evaluation. Preparation may depend on the type of stress testing you need.

Dr. Siva recommends that you wear comfortable clothing to your stress testing and he may ask that you not eat for several hours prior to the test, no matter which test you’re having.

For comprehensive and compassionate cardiology care, including stress testing, contact Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein by phone or online today.