Let us look after you.

What is it?
A transthoracic echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of your heart. A cardiac sonographer will place 3 electrodes on your chest to monitor the heart rhythm during the examination, they will then apply a gel onto an ultrasound transducer. This transducer will be moved over different sections of your chest to record images of your heart. This provides information on the size and function of the heart chambers and the valves inside the heart.

How long does it take?
The test takes approximately 60-90 minutes.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
No specific preparation is required.

What is it?
Exercise stress echo allows the assessment of the heart function when it is working hard. This test is useful when looking for significant blockages in the arteries that supply the heart (coronary arteries).

ECG leads are attached to your chest to record the electrical activity of the heart during the test. A series of echo images are taken prior to exercise. You then exercise on the treadmill, which starts slowly but increases in speed and gradient every 3 minutes. You are only required to perform the amount of exercise you feel comfortable with. Once the exercise is completed, you immediately return to the bed and the same series of echo images are obtained for comparison.

How long does it take?
The exercise component of the test does not usually last more than 10-15 minutes but please allow up to 90 minutes for the entire test.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
Fast for 2 hours prior to the test. Please wear two piece exercise attire and comfortable walking shoes.

Certain medications may need to be withheld (please continue all regular medications unless we notify you otherwise).

What is it?
Dobutamine stress echo allows the assessment of the heart function when it is working hard. Dobutamine is a medication that is used to reproduce the effects of exercise on the heart, it is used when people are unable to walk on a treadmill. This test is useful when looking for significant blockages in the arteries that supply the heart (coronary arteries).

ECG leads are attached to your chest to record the electrical activity of the heart during the test. A series of echo images are taken prior to the medication infusion starting. The medication infusion is slowly increased every 3 minutes until a target heart rate is reached. The echo images are repeated at certain intervals during the infusion and after the completion of the test.

How long does it take?
Please allow up to 90 minutes for the test.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
Fast for 2 hours prior to the test. Please wear two piece exercise attire and comfortable walking shoes.

What is it?
Trans-oesophageal echo is a specialised form of echo which involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the oesophagus (food pipe) and taking images of the heart. It is useful for imaging certain sections of the heart that are not well seen on other echo tests.

These tests are performed in the St Vincent’s operating theatres. An anaesthetist will administer medications to make you drowsy for the procedure.

How long does it take?
The test typically takes about 45 minutes.
Please allow 3-4 hours in total for the admission, testing and recovery period.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
Fast for 6 hours prior to the test.

Is there anything I cannot do after the test?
You are not allowed to drive for 24 hours following the administration of an anaesthetic.

What is it?
A series of electrodes are attached to the patient’s chest and limbs. These electrodes record the electrical activity of the heart.

How long does it take?
Please allow 15 minutes for the test.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
No specific preparation is required.
Patients with hairy chests may need to be shaved at the time of the test to allow adequate contact of the electrode to the chest.

What is it?
A Holter monitor allows the continuous recording of the heart’s electrical activity over a 24 hour period. A series of electrodes are attached to your chest. These electrodes are attached the device which is worn on a lanyard around your neck.

You will need to attend the practice on the first day and have the monitor fitted, you then return at the same time the following day to have the monitor removed.

How long does it take?
Please allow 20 minutes on the first day to attach the monitor and 10 minutes on the following day for the removal.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
It is recommended that you shower prior attending, as you cannot shower whilst the monitor is attached.

What is it?
24 hour blood pressure monitor allows a series of blood pressure readings to be taken whilst the patient goes about their normal daily activities. The blood pressure cuff remains attached to the arm and is connected to a small device that is worn on a lanyard or kept in your pocket. The cuff inflates every 30 minutes whilst awake and every 60 minutes whilst asleep.

You will need to attend the practice on the first day and have the monitor fitted, you then return at the same time the following day to have the monitor removed.

How long does it take?
Please allow 20 minutes on the first day to attach the monitor and 10 minutes on the following day for the removal.

What do I need to do prior to the test?
It is recommended that you shower prior attending, as you cannot shower whilst the monitor is attached.