FAQ

Understanding Cardiovascular Diagnostics:

Your Top 10 FAQs

This test measures your blood pressure continuously for 24 hours as you go about your normal daily activities and sleep. It helps your doctor see if your blood pressure varies a lot or if it’s higher or lower at certain times of the day or night, which can provide a more accurate picture than a single reading in the doctor’s office.

How to Prepare:

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing so the cuff and monitor can fit comfortably underneath.
  • You can usually take your medications as normal unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
  • Avoid intense exercise, caffeine, and smoking just before the monitor is placed.

What to Expect on the Day:

  • A technician will place a blood pressure cuff on your upper arm and connect it to a small monitor worn on a belt or shoulder strap.
  • The device will automatically take readings at regular intervals. 
  • You will go home and continue normal activities but must keep the equipment dry  and avoid removing it. 
  • You’ll return the next day so that the data can be reviewed by your doctor.

This test records the electrical activity of your heart at rest. It can help detect abnormal heart  rhythms, signs of a previous heart attack, or other heart conditions. 
How to Prepare: 

  • You don’t need to fast or change your usual medications unless instructed.
  • Wear a short-sleeved or easily removable top for quick electrode placement. 
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie on a table, and a healthcare professional will place small adhesive pads  (electrodes) on your chest, arms, and legs. 
  • The test takes just a few minutes. You will be asked to lie still, breathe normally, and  not talk during the brief recording. 
  • Afterward, the electrodes are removed, and you can resume your normal routine  immediately.

A Holter monitor continuously records your heart’s electrical activity over a longer period than an ECG in the office. It can help your doctor detect irregular heartbeats or rhythm issues that come and go throughout the day and night.

How to Prepare:

  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to accommodate the monitor.
  • Bathe or shower beforehand because you won’t be able to remove the device during the monitoring period.
  • Take medications as prescribed unless told otherwise.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • Electrodes will be placed on your chest and connected to a small recording device you’ll wear on a belt or strap.
  • You’ll go about your normal activities while wearing the monitor. You cannot swim or shower with it on.
  • You may be given a diary to write down any symptoms and activities so the doctor can match them to changes in your heart rhythm.
  • After the monitoring period (24 hours to 7 days), you’ll return the device and electrodes for analysis.

This test records your heart’s electrical activity while you exercise. It helps show if your heart gets enough blood and oxygen during physical activity and can reveal if there are any exercise-induced rhythm problems or signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

How to Prepare:

  • Wear comfortable clothes and walking or running shoes suitable for exercise.
  • Avoid a heavy meal, caffeine, and smoking for a couple of hours before the test.
  • Take medications as instructed by your doctor.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • Electrodes will be placed on your chest, and a blood pressure cuff on your arm.
  • You’ll start walking on a treadmill at a slow pace, and the speed and incline will gradually increase.
  • The test continues until you reach a target heart rate or develop symptoms that require stopping.
  • You’ll be monitored closely during recovery until your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.

This ultrasound test shows detailed pictures of your heart’s structure and how well it’s pumping. It helps evaluate heart valves, chambers, and the heart’s pumping action.

How to Prepare:

  • Generally, no special preparation is needed.
  • Wear a two-piece outfit for easier access to your chest area.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie on your left side on a table.
  • Warm gel will be applied to your chest, and a handheld device (transducer) will be moved over your chest to capture images of your heart.
  • The test is painless and takes about 30–60 minutes. You can resume normal activities immediately afterward.

This test combines an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram) with exercise (usually on a treadmill). It helps determine if there are areas of the heart not getting enough blood flow under stress and can detect exercise-induced heart problems.

How to Prepare:

  • Follow the same preparation as for a regular exercise stress test: wear comfortable exercise clothing and shoes, avoid large meals, caffeine, and smoking before the test.
  • Medications should be taken as directed by your doctor.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll first have a resting echocardiogram.
  • Then you’ll exercise on a treadmill until a target heart rate is reached.
  • Right after exercise, you’ll quickly lie down and have another echocardiogram while your heart rate is still elevated.
  • The entire process takes about 60–90 minutes.

This ultrasound test looks at the blood flow in the carotid arteries in your neck, which supply blood to your brain. It can detect narrowing or blockages that may increase the risk of stroke.

How to Prepare:

  • No special fasting or medication changes are usually required.
  • Wear a shirt or blouse that allows easy access to your neck.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie down on an exam table, and gel will be applied to your neck.
  • The technologist will use a small ultrasound probe to visualize the arteries and measure blood flow.
  • The test is painless and takes about 30–60 minutes. You can resume normal activities right after.

This test looks at blood flow in the arteries of your legs, identifying narrowed or blocked arteries that can cause pain or poor circulation.

How to Prepare:

  • Usually no special preparation needed.
  • Wear loose, easily removable clothing so your legs can be examined.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie on a table, and gel will be applied to your legs.
  • The technologist will use an ultrasound probe to examine the arteries in your groin, thigh, knee, calf, and possibly down to your ankles.
  • You’ll feel slight pressure but no pain. It usually takes 30–60 minutes. Normal activities can be resumed afterward.

Similar to the lower extremity study, this test evaluates blood flow in the arteries of your arms. It can help detect blockages or narrowing that may cause arm pain or circulation problems.

How to Prepare:

  • Typically, no special preparation is required.
  • Wear short-sleeved or loose-fitting clothing for easy access to your arms.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie or sit comfortably, and gel will be applied to areas of your upper arm, forearm, and wrist.
  • The technologist will move an ultrasound probe over the arteries to assess blood flow.
  • The exam is painless and usually takes 30–60 minutes. You can go back to your regular activities immediately.

This simple, painless test measures the blood pressure in your ankles and compares it to the blood pressure in your arms. It helps detect peripheral artery disease (PAD).

How to Prepare:

  • No special preparation is needed.
  • Wear clothing that allows easy access to your arms and ankles.
What to Expect on the Day:
  • You’ll lie flat on an exam table.
  • Blood pressure cuffs are placed on your arms and ankles.
  • A small ultrasound device (Doppler) is used to listen to the blood flow and
    determine your pressure readings.
  • The test takes about 15–30 minutes, after which you can resume normal activities.