The Oakville Cardiologists Diagnostic Centre provides state-of the-art non-invasive Cardiac testing. All tests are supervised and reported by a Cardiologist certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Our Cardiac Diagnostic Centre is staffed with cardiac technicians highly trained in performing cardiovascular tests. You will be provided with information and instructions in order to perform your test and to ensure your well-being. You may be requested to come in early so that preparation for testing can be made.
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In addition to our Cardiology Diagnostic testing services Oakville Cardiologists provides Cardiology Consultations at the request of referring physicians. If you require a Cardiology Consultation from one of our Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certified Cardiologists your physician will use our Consultation Request form.
Echocardiogram
An Echocardiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to obtain images and measurements of the heart. This test is used to evaluate the size and function of the heart, heart muscle function, valve function, and blood flow through the heart.
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The test is performed by licenced cardiac sonographers in our accredited echo facility. A Cardiologist is available for consultation during the test if required.
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You will be asked to change into a medical gown. During the test, an ultrasound transducer is placed on the chest to obtain images of the heart. Ultrasound gel is used to allow better contact between the transducer and the skin. The test is non-invasive, not painful, and typically takes a maximum of one hour to complete.
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In some cases, an intravenous line may be required for administration of Definity® contrast, an ultrasound enhancing agent used to improve visualization and image quality of the heart. Definity® is not radioactive.
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A saline contrast study (“bubble study”) may also be performed if indicated. This involves injecting a specially prepared saline solution through an intravenous line to help evaluate blood flow within the heart.
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The decision to use Definity® contrast or saline contrast is made at the time of testing based on image quality and clinical need.
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Through our affiliation with Halton Healthcare Services, we also offer transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and 3D echocardiography. The Cardiologist interpreting your test may recommend one of these additional investigations if appropriate.
Preparations For Testing
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You may eat and drink as usual on the day of your test.
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Please continue taking all prescribed medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
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You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up and a medical gown will be provided.
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Please allow approximately 1 hour for your appointment.
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No special preparation is required.
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Exercise Stress Test
An Exercise Stress Test is used to assess the heart’s response to exercise. This test is typically ordered to determine if there is coronary atherosclerosis (hardening of the heart arteries). The test is also useful to identify abnormal heart rhythms provoked by exercise.
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This test involves walking in place on a treadmill while monitoring the electrical activity of your heart. Throughout the test, the speed and incline of the treadmill will increase. The results show how well your heart responds to stress at different levels of exercise.
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You will be encouraged to exercise for as long as you can and the test is continued until the desired heart rate is reached or when you cannot exercise anymore. The test is supervised and interpreted by one of our Cardiologists.
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Preparations For Testing
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You may be asked to stop certain medications one day before the test. Please confirm this with your doctor. On the day of the test, do not eat or drink anything for at least two hours before the test. Please bring comfortable shoes and wear loose fitting clothes.
Exercise Stress Test Echocardiogram
​An Exercise Stress Echocardiogram combines Echocardiography (ultrasound imaging of the heart) with treadmill exercise testing (Exercise Stress Test) to evaluate how your heart functions before, during and after exercise.
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The test is performed by licenced cardiac sonographers in our accredited echo facility. A Cardiologist is available for consultation during the test if required.
A resting echocardiogram is first performed to evaluate the structure and function of your heart before exercise. You will then exercise while your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and symptoms are closely monitored. The intensity of exercise gradually increases until you reach your target heart rate, request to stop, or the supervising Cardiologist or cardiac technician determines the test should end early for medical reasons.
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Immediately following exercise, additional echocardiogram images are obtained to assess how your heart responds to stress. This test helps evaluate blood flow to the heart and assess heart valve function.
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An intravenous (IV) may be required for administration of Definity® contrast, an ultrasound enhancing agent commonly used during echocardiography to improve visualization and image quality of the heart. Definity® is commonly used during echocardiography when additional image detail is required. The decision to use Definity® is made at the time of testing based on image quality and clinical need. Definity® is not radioactive.
The test is typically completed within approximately 1.5 hours.
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Preparations For Testing
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You may eat and drink as usual on the day of your test; however, we recommend avoiding a large meal immediately before your appointment to reduce the chance of discomfort or nausea during exercise.
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Please continue taking all prescribed medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
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Please bring an accurate list of your current medications to your appointment.
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Wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise, including walking or athletic shoes appropriate for a treadmill.
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You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up during the test. A medical gown will be provided and will be worn open to the front.
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Please allow approximately 1.5 hours for your appointment.
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No additional preparation is required.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple and painless test that measures and records the electrical activity of your heart. Many heart conditions including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, inherited heart defects, coronary heart disease, heart valve disease and heart attack can cause changes or disruptions in the electrical activity of your heart.
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Preparations For Testing
On the day of the test, you can eat or drink as usual and should take all prescribed medications.
No special preparation is needed.
Holter Monitor
In this test, an Electrocardiogram (ECG) is continuously monitored for 24 to 72 hours. The signals are recorded on a special recorder which you will wear. This prolonged monitoring records transient rhythm or ECG abnormalities. This test can help determine if palpitations, dizziness or fainting spells are due to a change in the electrical activity of the heart. It can also help in assessing response to medications.
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For this test, surface electrodes will be placed on the upper chest. The electrodes will be connected to a recorder placed on your waist. The monitor is worn continuously for 24 to 72 hours as requested by your physician.
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You will be asked to keep a diary to record all activities and any symptoms with the exact time of their occurrence.
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Preparations For Testing
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On the day of the test, you can eat or drink as usual and should take all prescribed medications.
No special preparation is needed.
Arrhythmia Monitor
This monitor is ordered by a physician to determine if a heart rhythm disturbance is responsible for a particular symptom you may be feeling. This test is also referred to as a CardioSTAT monitor.
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The device is worn continuously for up to 2 weeks. CardioSTAT is a compact, discrete and comfortable heart monitor that will allow you to stay active throughout the day. You may continue wearing it through workout sessions and even in the shower.
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Preparations For Testing
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There is no need for fasting or any other special preparation. Take all your prescribed medications as usual and record them in the diary provided.
Please wear loose fitting clothing when coming to the clinic for this test.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor
A one-time blood pressure measurement in a doctor’s office or clinic setting is often not enough to confirm whether or not your blood pressure is too high or even, in some cases, too low. If your doctor suspects that you have hypertension or other blood pressure problems, he or she may refer you for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
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An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a portable blood pressure recording device. This test monitors your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours and readings are recorded. These readings are then analyzed by sophisticated equipment and the results are interpreted by one of our Cardiologists.
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The equipment consists of a small recorder and a blood pressure cuff, which is applied to the arm. The cuff is worn continuously for the duration of the test. The cuff will inflate automatically at regular intervals to record the blood pressure.
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If you have had a mastectomy or if you are on permanent hemodialysis, inform the technician; this will influence the positioning of the arm cuff. Usual activities should be performed except bathing.
Preparations For Testing
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On the day of the test, you can eat or drink as usual and should take all prescribed medications.
No special preparation is needed. Please wear loose fitting clothing when coming to the clinic for this test.
Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Nuclear stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a nuclear cardiology test that determines how well blood flows to the muscle of the heart (myocardium). This test is used to diagnose the presence or absence of coronary artery disease. Other names for this test are Nuclear SPECT, Exercise Cardiolite and Persantine Cardiolite studies.
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During this test a radioactive tracer (called Cardiolite) is injected into the bloodstream and is taken up by the heart tissue. A specialized camera detects the radiation released by the tracer to produce images of the heart. Two sets of images are taken, one after an injection at rest and another after an injection during a stress test – either exercise stress on a treadmill/bike or drug-induced stress with Persantine (dipyridamole) medication, which simulates exercise.
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This test is performed in the Cardiology/Nuclear Medicine Department at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.
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Preparations For Testing
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Please wear running shoes and comfortable exercise clothes. Do not consume anything containing caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test. This includes coffee (including decaffeinated coffee), tea (including decaffeinated tea and herbal tea), soft drinks, chocolate (including chocolate flavourings and cocoa), Tylenol with codeine. Do not consume alcohol for 24 hours prior to your test. You will need to fast for 4 hours prior to your test. Since this test uses radiation you should notify the staff if you are planning to travel out of the country within days following the test. (We will provide you with a letter for Border Services.)