Exercise (Treadmill) Stress Test
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE)
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A holter monitor records your heart rhythm continuously throughout the day and night.
The length of time that you will need to wear the monitor will be determined by your cardiologist. The monitor can be worn for between 12 - 24 hours.
You will need to wear a loose fitting shirt or top as the technician will need access to the chest area. You may like to bathe or shower prior to the test as you may not be able to do so for at least the next 24 hours. No other preparation is required.
The monitor is the size of a mobile phone and consists of 5 leads which are attached to your chest by adhesive electrodes with tape placed over the top to ensure they remain in place. It is important to check that the electrodes are in place throughout the day. Should you have an allergy to adhesive tapes please advise the technician fitting the monitor. The technician may also have to shave small sections of hair from your chest to ensure sufficient contact of the electrodes with the skin.
The holter monitor will either be hung loosely around your neck by a strap or clipped onto your waistband. During the recording you will need to list your symptoms, the time they occur and what you were doing at the time on the diary sheet provided.
You will be able to carry out your normal daily activities BUT you must not get the monitor wet i.e. no swimming or showering, nor use an electric blanket or magnetic underlay.
You will be shown how to disconnect the monitor prior to returning. The monitor, grey leads and diary sheet will need to be placed in the envelope provided. The technician will also specify what time the monitor needs to be returned and where.
It is important to return the monitor at this time as the data must be downloaded and the monitor prepared for future use.
Please note: Our monitors are booked to be used with other patients. To minimise this impact and ensure we continue to deliver quality cardiac care to all of our patients a late fee of $50 will be applied if the monitor is returned after the time specified by the technician. This fee will be charged for every day the monitor is not returned.
Results will not be available at the time you return the monitor. The recorded data will be downloaded, reported by a cardiologist and the results forwarded to your referring doctor. Please allow 5 working days before making an appointment with your doctor or notify the technician if you have an appointment within the 5 days.
Full payment will be required on the day of the test.
If you are a patient undergoing this test and you have any further queries, please raise them with your cardiologist.
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