We have provided the below information to equip you with some brief detail on each test, including the necessary preparation required. Please feel free to contact us on (02) 9889 8624 to speak with one of our consultants who will be able to answer any questions you may have on your cardiac examination.
To read more information, just click on the relevant test:

1. Transthoracic Echocardiogram (cardiac ECHO)
- What is it? An ultrasound of the heart. The purpose of this test is to assess the structure and function of the heart chambers and valves, and look at blood flow through the heart chambers and related vessels.
- Preparation: There is no preparation for this test. Do not cease any current medications. There is no need to fast beforehand. You will be able to leave immediately after the test is completed and there are no restrictions on activity afterwards.
- How long will it take? You should allow an hour for the appointment.
- What happens during the test? Your tests will be performed by a CardioFirst technician who will ask you a series of questions and to perform some simple exercises. You will be asked to move position from time to time, and you may also be asked to hold your breath.
- What happens after your test? A comprehensive report of your test will be sent to your Doctor. We will not be able to provide any results on the day. Allow up to 5 working days for your Doctor to receive the results.

2. Stress Echocardiogram
- What is it? Measures the performance and capacity of the heart. In many cases, the test is carried out to assist in making a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Other uses of the test include evaluating a patient’s capacity to undertake certain physical activities or occupations, assessment of prognosis in patients with heart disease and the effect of treatment on symptoms.
- Preparation: Patients will need loose comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. It is preferable that no food is taken two hours before the test and any meals consumed on the day are light.
- How long will it take? You should allow an hour for the appointment.
- What happens during the test? You will be asked to walk on a treadmill and the speed and gradient of the treadmill increasing every three minutes. The test is stopped if you develop symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, tired legs, chest pain or other symptoms or when you reach an appropriate target. Throughout the test your pulse, blood pressure and electrocardiogram will be monitored. If there is any abnormal change in any of these observations, the test will be stopped.
- What happens after your test? Ultrasound pictures will be taken of your heart both before and immediately after the stress test If at any time during the test you are feeling unwell in any way, report the symptom immediately.

3. Holter Monitor
- What is it? A Holter Monitor is a continuous twenty four hour recording of your heart rhythm. There are two common reasons why your Doctor may have referred for this test are:
- 1. If you have been feeling dizzy, having blackouts or palpitations, then this test can be used to try to find out if the cause of these symptoms is coming from your heart.
- 2. If you have been started on a new medication or other treatment because you have had an arrhythmia, this test can be used to determine if a new medication/treatment has had the desired effect.
- Preparation: Please shower on the morning of the test, and preferably wear a two-piece outfit. The electrodes are placed near your collarbone so it may be more comfortable for you to wear a high necked shirt.
- What happens during the tests? The monitor consists of a digital recorder with up to 7 leads attached to it. A CardioFirst Technician will attach the leads to your chest using sticky electrodes. If you have an allergy to any type of adhesive, please inform the Technician prior to the test so that a protective gel can be applied prior to the application of electrodes, and a hypo-allergenic tape can be used. You will be given a diary to fill in over the 24 hour period of the test. This will be used by you to let us know any relevant activities and symptoms such as exercise and bed time. There is a clock on the outside of the monitor, and you should use this to time and document the events in the diary as your watch and the clock on the monitor may not be synchronised.
- During the monitoring period During the time that you are wearing the Monitor, you are asked to go about your day as normal including attending work, if applicable. The only restriction on activity is that the monitor cannot get wet, so you cannot bath, shower or go swimming. Please record in your Diary any symptoms that you may feel and the activity you were doing at the time of the symptoms. Normal electronic equipment and mobile telephones should not interfere with the recording.
- What happens after your test? The Technician will write a report, which will be reviewed by a Cardiologist. The results will be sent to the Doctor who requested the test. The Technician will not be able to give you any results on the day of the test. Allow up to 5 working days for your Doctor to receive the results.

4. Electrocardiograph (ECG)
- What is it and what preparation is required? An ECG is a non-invasive test that detects cardiac abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity generated by the heart. It takes only a few minutes and requires no preparation.

5. Exercise testing
- What is it? Exercise testing measures the performance and capacity of the heart. In many cases, the test is carried out to assist in making a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Other uses of the test include evaluating a patient’s capacity to undertake certain physical activities or occupations, assessment of prognosis in patients with heart disease and the effect of treatment on symptoms. Testing consists of walking on a treadmill and the speed and gradient of the treadmill will be increased every three minutes. The test is stopped if you develop symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, tired legs, chest pain or other symptoms or when you reach an appropriate target. Throughout the test your pulse, blood pressure and electrocardiogram will be monitored. If there is any abnormal change in any of these observations, the test will be stopped. If at any time during the test you are feeling unwell in any way, report the symptom immediately.
- Preparation: Patients will need to wear loose comfortable clothing and walking shoes. It is preferable that no food be taken two hours before the test and any meal on that day should be light.

6. Blood pressure monitoring
- What is it? Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring records your blood pressure intermittently during a normal day. Common reasons why your doctor may have referred you for the test are:
- To monitor borderline hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Monitor the efficacy of anti-hypertensive medication during a normal day.
- To discount ‘White Coat Syndrome’.
- Hypotensive (low blood pressure) Syndromes.
- Preparation: No preparation is required. You will not be able to bath or shower during the monitoring period.
- During the monitoring period: When you are wearing the monitor, you are asked to go about your day as normal including attending work. The machine does give a soft audible noise immediately prior to inflation. In a normal working environment this is frequently not heard. However, as soon as the cuff begins to inflate you are required to keep the arm, including the fingers still until the cuff has deflated. If you are driving or operating machinery safety comes first. The machine will repeat the reading within the following 3 minutes affording time for you to pull over (if driving) and improve the comfort, safety and accuracy of the recording. The Blood Pressure cuff will inflate every half hour during the day and hourly at night. If the reading does not register, a repeat inflation may occur. To ensure the monitor is working the initial readings are displayed however data for all subsequent readings is stored but not displayed. Whilst the cuff continues to inflate and deflate at regular intervals the monitor is working.