stress test Archives - Dr. Peter Mikhail

During your annual physical, a doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope. If the doctor hears anything troubling or odd, he or she will recommend that you have an echocardiogram done on your heart. What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram (echo) will show doctors the size, structures, and movements of the parts within your heart. Through this test, a doctor will be able to determine several things, including: the size of your heart, the state of your heart muscles, heart valve problems, problems with your heart’s structure, and signs of blood clots or tumors.

During an echo, a technician will place three electrodes which are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG or EKG) on your chest. You will be asked to lay down on your left side. He or she will place a wand (with gel on the end) on your chest; the wand is a sound-wave transducer. You may have to change positions a few times during the test, so several areas of your heart will be photographed. Echos are safe and you should feel no discomfort.

An echo lasts for about 40 minutes; you can return to work or other daily activities immediately following. You can eat, drink, and take any medications normally before this test.

There are several different types of echocardiograms and your doctor will determine which one is right for you. Here are brief descriptions of the types of echocardiograms:

Transthoracic echocardiogram – This is the basic echo and is like an x-ray (minus the radiation).
Transesophageal echocardiogram – In this echo, the transducer is inserted down the throat into the esophagus, because the esophagus is close to the heart.
Stress echocardiogram – This echo is taken while the person exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram – This is a stress echo but without the exercise; the stress is obtained through a drug that makes the body think its exercising.
Intravascular ultrasound – This ultrasound is performed during cardiac catheterization, and the transducer is threaded into the heart blood vessels through a catheter in the groin.

If you’ve had an echo or other stress test, this can help the doctor determine if you are currently suffering from heart valve disease. If you found out you have mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is an experienced cardiac surgeon who specializes in mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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If you’re experiencing symptoms of heart disease, there’s a good chance you’ve gone to see your doctor. Chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath are all red flags that should send you to your doctor immediately. If a doctor hears anything alarming through a stethoscope, he or she will suggest you have some testing done to confirm if you have heart disease. You will also need to make an appointment with a cardiologist. One such test you will have to take is a stress test.

A stress test can help the doctors determine if you have heart disease. One type of stress test, and the one most often used, is the exercise stress test. During an exercise stress test, you will either walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. The doctor will use the test to track your electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure.

What does this test do or show? An exercise stress test will show a few things to the doctor, including:

If enough blood is flowing to the heart during activity
If there are any abnormal heart rhythms
If the heart valves are functioning properly
If you have coronary heart disease
If your symptoms (chest pain, palpitations, dizziness) are being caused by a heart issue
If your heart medications are working (if you’re on any) and how

Before the test, you cannot eat or drink anything except water for four hours prior to the test, and cannot have caffeine for 12 hours before the test. There are also certain medications your doctor will tell you that you cannot take before the test, – your doctor will advise you.

Before you begin exercising on the test, an EKG will be done to take your heart rate at rest. After the EKG, you will begin exercising. The exercising will gradually get more difficult to get you exhausted. You will be asked throughout how you are feeling and if you’re experiencing any symptoms. The test lasts about 60 mins, but you’re only exercising around 10 minutes.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it may be time to talk to your doctor and see if a stress test is a good idea. Depending on the test’s results, you’ll want to see a cardiologist. If you’re looking for a cardiac surgeon, Dr. Peter Mikhail specializes in mitral valve and aortic valve surgery. To book an appointment with him, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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Chest Pain. Shortness of breath. Dizziness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. There could be a chance that you have heart disease. At an appointment with your doctor, he or she will listen to your heart with a stethoscope and make the decision of whether you should be tested for heart disease. Stress tests are one way for doctors to determine if you have heart disease. If you are unable to walk on a treadmill or are on certain medications, the doctor will have you take a nuclear stress test instead of an exercise stress list.

A nuclear stress test will measure blood flow to your heart while at rest, and while your heart works hard from medication administered to you. From this test, a doctor will see images that will determine if you have low blood flow or any damage to the heart muscle itself.

Since you are unable to exercise, a radioactive dye will be administered into your bloodstream. This will speed up your heart rate to mimic exercise. Doctors will also suggest a nuclear stress test if you have coronary artery disease, or if an exercise stress test didn’t explain any of your negative symptoms.

During this test, a camera will see rays emitted from the dye in your body, which will create clear pictures of the heart and its tissue. The doctor will look at images while your heart is at rest, during and after exercise (elevated heart rate from dye). The test could take up to five hours as the blood needs to make its way through your body.

For a nuclear stress test, a patient cannot eat or drink or smoke for two hours prior. A doctor will determine on a case by case basis if you can or cannot take certain medications and consume caffeine before the test. Patients are asked to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. After the test is done, the dye will leave your body through your urine or stool.

The results will determine the doctor’s next course of action. If the results show you have heart valve disease, there is a chance you will have to undergo heart valve surgery. If you’re looking for a cardiac surgeon, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs heart valve surgery, specializing in mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. To learn more, click the heart valve surgery page. Click here to book an appointment with Dr. Mikhail or call 727-312-4844.

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