New Cardiac Services Available At Banner Lassen Medical Center

New Cardiac Services available at Banner Lassen Medical Center

Stress tests and echocardiograms (echo) are among the best tools for diagnosing heart disease, and some research suggest that they may also be useful in estimating disease risk in people who don’t have symptoms but do have risk factors such as high cholesterol. A stress test and echo may be recommended in patients over 40 with a risk for coronary artery disease because of smoking, high blood pressure or other risk factors.

What is a stress test?

A stress test is a study that checks your heart at rest and while it’s beating heavily. A stress test can be done with or without dye, depending on what your physician orders. Stress tests are usually done with exercise or with medication to get your heart rate up to measure your heart’s function.

Why is it done?

Your heart may show signs that it’s not working properly when you’re under exertion, but symptoms may disappear while you’re at rest, says JoAnn Mahloch, Cardiopulmonary Manger at Banner Lassen Medical Center. A stress test gives your doctor an added level of information about your hearts health. Most of the time stress tests are prescribed by your physician because you have complained about chest pain, you have a past history of heart disease or other medical issues that increase the risk for heart disease, a family history of heart disease or because of your social history (smoking, drinking).

How is it done?

A two-step procedure, the stress test begins with and EKG while your heart is at rest. Sticky patches or electrodes are attached to the chest and shoulders and connected to electrodes or wires. These help to record the electrocardiogram during the echocardiography test. Then you spend about 10 minutes walking on a treadmill to get your heart pumping faster. The patient begins the test by walking on the treadmill first slowly then at three minute intervals speed and grade is increased. When the patient has reached about 85 percent of their maximum heart rate the EKG is repeated, allowing your physician to see how the heart is functioning when it’s pumping fast and furiously compared with at rest. The stress testing portion of the test takes approximately one-half hour from start to finish. After the procedure, the patient will sit for the recovery phase where the patient is monitored to baseline heart rate and blood pressure. As soon as your stress test portion is complete, you will be provided with caffeine and a snack before the second portion of your scan. Your blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm will be monitored throughout the testing.

The second step to your test occurs if your doctor has ordered a Nuclear Medicine Stress test. You will be given dye by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist for a resting scan that is done in radiology, then you will go back to the cardiopulmonary department for the exercise portion as described above with a second dose of dye. The last part of the test will be done in radiology and is called the post exercise scan of your heart. The total length of this test is usually 2 to 3 hours.

In addition to stress testing, Banner Lassen has also made Echocardiography available to the community.

What is Echocardiography?

An echocardiogram or “echo” is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart, providing single and two-dimensional measurement of the heart chambers. Echocardiograms are capable of displaying a cross-sectional “slice” of the beating heart and demonstrates the chambers, valves and the major blood vessels.

What information does Echocardiography provide?

Echocardiography provides information to your physician for surgical clearance, size of the heart chambers, pumping function, valve function, volume status and more. Echocardiography is also useful in the diagnosis of fluid in the pericardium as well as helping to evaluate the heart’s function and diagnose diseases of the heart.

What is the process for scheduling a stress test?

When you make your appointment the receptionist will talk to you about what medications may interfere with a valid test and what foods, like caffeine and tobacco that need to be avoided 12 hours prior to the test. “If arthritis or other conditions make you unable to exercise, the doctor can give you a medication that helps speed up your heartbeat without exertion”, Mahloch says. The medication would be administered by the Registered Nurse and the treadmill portion will be handled by the Respiratory Therapist. The Isotope will be administered by the Nuclear Technologist and a qualified Respiratory Therapist, Registered Nurse and Hospitalist will be there to monitor you. If you experience persistent discomfort from the medication an antidote can be given by the RN to reverse the medication effects.

The patient should wear comfortable loose fitting clothes, preferably two pieces (top and shorts or pants) and comfortable walking shoes (athletic/tennis shoes). The individual should avoid eating a large meal right before the test which could make exercising uncomfortable.

People with possible heart ailments are often concerned that putting stress on their hearts will cause a heart attack or other problem, but complications from stress tests are rare. Plus, Mahloch adds, “if something bad happens during a stress test, it means that something is wrong with your heart, and the hospital is the best place to be should something happen.”

A cardiologist will read and interpret the results of your stress test and an interpretation of the test will be forwarded to the ordering physician as soon as it is interpreted by the Cardiologist.

Remember to always take heart symptoms seriously and go to the nearest Emergency Room if you are experiencing chest pain.

Stress tests ordered by your physician are available at Banner Lassen Medical Center Monday through Friday from 8am – 12pm. A pre-authorization may be needed so be sure to check with your insurance. For more information call us at 530-252-2000.