What is the purpose of screening for coronary artery disease?
Often the first symptom of coronary artery disease is sudden death, resulting from a sudden and large myocardial infarction. This can occur without any preceding warning signs or chest pain. For this reason, our physicians are now performing screening tests to be proactive. To help detect signs of coronary artery disease before such serious medical events.
What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease?
Common risk factors of coronary artery disease include:
- Age
- Male gender
- Family history of coronary artery disease,
- Smoking history
- High blood pressure,
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- High stress
- Sleep apnea
- Elevated C-reactive protein
- Elevated homocysteine levels
- Elevated fibrinogen levels
- Elevated Lipoprotein a levels
Why perform your screening cardiac testing at one of our locations?
At our Beverly Hills medical concierge office, we pull out the red carpet for our patients. We provide many of the tests performed by a cardiology office in a private office setting:
- A friendly and experienced staff
- Relaxed testing environment
- State-of-the-art offices and diagnostic equipment
Most importantly, we will provide you with confidence and peace of mind.
How should I prepare for my cardiac testing day?
You should eat, drink and take your medications as you usually would unless told by your doctor. You should wear comfortable clothes as well as comfortable shoes. They’re necessary to be able to run on an exercise treadmill for the cardiac stress part of your test.
How Long Does a Stress Test Take?
A stress test typically takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. This includes the time it takes to prepare for the test (such as changing into appropriate clothing and attaching electrodes to the skin), as well as the actual test itself, which may involve walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the heart’s activity is monitored. The recovery time after the test is also typically included in this time frame.
Stress Test Without Exercise
A stress test can also be performed without exercise, known as a “pharmacological stress test” or “chemical stress test“. This type of test uses medication to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart. The medication, typically adenosine or dobutamine, is administered to the patient through an IV, and the heart’s activity is monitored through an electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram. A pharmacological stress test typically takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. During this time, the patient will be monitored for any changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular indicators.
Are there any special preparations if I have diabetes?
When preparing for a cardiac stress test, there are a few extra things to keep in mind if you have diabetes. Bring a list of all your current medications, as well as any monitoring equipment (like a blood glucose monitor), to your appointment so that our healthcare provider can help you with the preparation.
Before the test, talk to your doctor about any dietary restrictions. Additionally, let your doctor know if you’ve changed your diet or weight recently, as these changes may affect the outcome of the stress test. You can get the most precise results from your cardiac stress test by heeding the advice in this article.
Are there any special preparations if I have asthma or airway disease?
If you have asthma or any other airway disease, special preparations may be necessary before undergoing a cardiac stress test. Your physician may recommend pre-medication with bronchodilators, or inhalers such as albuterol, to open the airways prior to the test.
In addition, they may advise you to avoid strenuous physical activity and even caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test in order to reduce the risk of complications. It is important to consult with your physician before undergoing a cardiac stress test if you have any airway disease.
