Your Multidisciplinary
Medical Specialists Clinic
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to monitor heart rate, detect abnormal heart rhythms and it may give clues to underlying heart disease.
Important instructions before the test:
It is a painless, non-invasive procedure where electrode stickers are attached to the body and electrical signals are recorded. The test usually takes about 5 minutes. Patients should shave their chest hair prior to attending appointment.
Holter Monitor
A Holter Monitor is usually used to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms. Patients wear a small recording device, which is connected to small electrodes that are placed on the chest. It records the heart’s activity over a 24-hour period. Patients will be asked to keep a diary to allow the physician to correlate their symptoms with any abnormalities recorded on the Holter Monitor.
Important instructions before the test:
Patients should participate in their normal activities while wearing the Holter Monitor but will be unable to shower for 24 hours while wearing the Holter. The tape or adhesives that attach the electrodes may cause minor skin irritation so please inform the doctor if there are concerns of allergies to adhesives. Patients should shave their chest hair prior to attending appointment.
Event Monitor
An Event Monitor is usually used to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms. Patients wear a small recording device, which is connected to small electrodes that are placed on the chest. This technology is ideal for patients who have intermittent or rare symptoms, as the device can be carried for long periods of times (usually around 2 weeks). ECG tracings are recorded for each patient-triggered or auto-triggered event.
Important instructions before the test:
Patients should participate in their normal activities while wearing the Event Monitor. The tape or adhesives that attach the electrodes may cause minor skin irritation so please inform the doctor if there are concerns of allergies to adhesives. Patients should shave their chest hair prior to attending appointment.
Exercise Treadmill Test
An Exercise Treadmill Stress Test is used to determine the effects of exercise on the heart.
Electrodes are attached to the patient while exercising to allow doctors to detect abnormal heart rhythms and diagnose coronary artery disease.
The test involves walking/jogging on a treadmill while the speed and incline of the treadmill gradually increase. The blood pressure will be checked intermittently throughout the test.
The test is supervised by a technician the entire time and patients may stop the test at any time for any reason. Patients should report any symptoms that they experience to the technician.
Important instructions before the test:
Patients should not eat or smoke 3 hours prior to the test. Patients should take their usual medications unless otherwise directed by the physician. Medications may be taken with sips of water. It is important to dress in comfortable clothing and wear shoes that are suitable for walking on a treadmill. Patients should bring their own towel and drinking water to the appointemnt. Patients should shave their chest hair prior to attending appointment.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor
An Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor is used to diagnose blood pressure abnormalities. Patients wear a small device, which is connected to a blood pressure cuff which takes blood pressures over a 24 hour period. It is useful to facilitate achieving blood pressure control and reduce unnecessary treatment.
Important instructions before the test:
Patients should participate in their normal activities while wearing the Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor. There is no special preparation for this test.
Fibroscan
A Fibroscan is used as an non-invasive method for assessing liver fibrosis. Patients will undergo ultrasound-based elastography through a probe which will measure liver stiffness. It is not painful and usually takes less than 10 minutes.
Important instructions before the test:
Patients should not eat for 2-3 hours prior to appointment.
Overnight Oximetry / Sleep Study
An Overnight Oximetry is a simple home assessment of your oxygen levels during sleep. You will be set up with a machine to take home for one night. You will wear a probe on your finger for the duration of the night. This will allow us to assess your oxygen at night and evaluate for sleep apnea.
To obtain more detailed information, you may be set up with a Home Sleep Study, which is more detailed than the overnight oximetry. You will be set up with a machine to take home for one night. You will have a probe on your finger, a nasal cannula to measure your breathing, and straps/bands around your chest and abdomen to assess your depth of breathing. The combination of this data will help better evaluate the type of sleep apnea you may be at risk for.
Important instructions before the test:
There is no special preparation for this test.
Spirometry
A Spirometry is a basic breathing test that measures the ability for you to inhale and exhale air. It also measures how quickly you are able to exhale air. This is a common first test to assess for underlying lung diseases such as Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or other related disorders. You will be asked to breath maximally in and out into the spirometer several times for best results.
Important instructions before the test:
If you are on any inhalers and this is the FIRST TIME you are doing this test:
| Examples: | HOLD MEDICATIONS FOR: | |
| Short-acting bronchodilators | Ventolin, Alvesco, Salbutamol, Berotec , Bricanyl, Airomir | 4 to 8 hours |
| Medium-acting bronchodilators | Atrovent, Ipratropium | 6 hours |
| Long-acting bronchodilators | Oxeze, Serevent, Symbicort, Advair, Foradil | 12 hours |
| Theophylline-containing medications | Uniphyl, Theo-Dur, Theolair, Choledyl, Amesac, Phyllocontin, Respid, Bethiodyl, Aminophylline, Uniphyl | If once daily hold 48 hours. If twice a day hold 24 hours |
| Leukotriene-receptor antagonist | Accolate, Singulair | 8 hours |
| Steroid | Prednisone | Take as usual |
| Cola, tea, chocolate, coffee | 4 hours |
If you have done this test before and the spirometry is being done to follow progression, you may continue all inhalers as usual.
Allergy Skin Test
An Allergy Skin Test or Skin Prick Test is done to assess for immediate skin reaction to a variety of substances. This test is usually done to identify allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites and foods. In adults, this is usually done on the forearm.
Important instructions before the test:
In order to obtain an accurate test, please do not take any antihistamines or cold medicine for 5 days prior to testing.