(Treadmill Nuclear Stress Test, Lexiscan Nuclear Stress Test &
Simple Treadmill Non-Nuclear Stress Test)

A stress test, sometimes called a Treadmill test, Exercise test, or Nuclear Exercise Stress Test is an imaging method that uses radioactive material to show how well blood flows into the heart muscle, both at rest and during activity.

The stress test can be conducted via two methods. Either you will be asked to walk on a treadmill on a specialized program or you will be given a medication. The name of the medication is “Lexiscan”. This medication simulates a exercise treadmill stress test without the walking part of it.

This test helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles workload during the time of stress or surgery. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. Depending on the results of the stress test, the physician may recommend additional imaging to see inside the heart arteries.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Nothing to eat or drink except water for at least 6 hours prior to the test.
2. No Caffeine or Decaf products for at least 24 hours prior to test.
3. No Smoking or Chewing tobacco for at least 6 hours prior to test.
4. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing (preferably no one-piece or dress outfits) and comfortable walking shoes.
5. Please do not take your betablockers (e.g. Metoprolol, Carvedilol etc) for at least 24 hours prior to testing.
6. Bring Snack/Lunch to eat after “exercise” portion of the Stress Test.
7. For Diabetics: Discuss your insulin with your physician prior test.

Ultrasound of the Kidney

Renal artery ultrasound is a test that shows the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidney. A renal ultrasound is a safe and painless test that utilizes sound waves through a hand held probe (transducer) that is applied to the abdomen.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You will need to fast (have nothing to eat for 8 hours before the examination to ensure the best images and visualization of the arteries.)
2. Take your medication as scheduled
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide.
4. An Ultrasound of the kidneys takes approximately 30 minutes.

Ultrasound of the Abdomen

An Abdominal Aortic-Iliac Duplex is an ultrasound test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to evaluate the size of the aorta, the main artery in the abdomen, and other arteries that deliver blood to the major organs in the body. Iliac artery duplex is the test which looks at the blood vessels supplying your internal organs.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You will need to fast (have nothing to eat for 8 hours before the examination to ensure the best images and visualization of the arteries.)
2. Take your medication as scheduled
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide.
4. Leave plenty of time. It takes about 30 minutes for Aortic-Iliac Doppler.

Ultrasound of the Abdomen

An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is a non-invasive, painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image the “aorta,” the main blood vessel leading away from the heart. Ultrasound imaging of the aorta is useful for measuring its size and to screen for the presence of an aortic aneurysm.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You will need to fast (have nothing to eat for 8 hours before the examination to ensure the best images and visualization of the arteries.)
2. Take your medication as scheduled
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide.
4. It takes about 30 minutes for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening.

Ultrasound of the Venous/Veins

Diagnosing Chronic Venous Insufficiency. The veins throughout the body have one-way valves that help blood flow to the heart, where it’s pumped to the lungs for oxygen and then back to the rest of the body. In chronic venous insufficiency, vein walls weaken and valves are damaged, causing blood to pool in the legs.

Several factors can cause venous insufficiency, though it’s most commonly caused by long standing jobs, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and varicose veins.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please do not wear your compression stockings for 24 hours prior to the testing.
2. Please hydrate well for 24 hours prior to the study by drinking lots of water.
3. Take your medication as scheduled.
4. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown that we will provide.
5. A Venous Insufficiency Study takes approximately 30 -45 minutes.

Ultrasound of the Venous

Venous duplex scan is a painless exam that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to capture images of veins that return blood to the heart. A Venous Duplex Study is a test to check the blood flow through the veins of the arms or legs. Ultrasound is used to check for an obstruction or a blood clot that may be slowing or blocking proper blood flow back to the heart.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. There is no food or drinking restrictions for a Venous Insufficiency Study.
2. Take your medication as scheduled.
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide
4. A Venous Duplex Study takes about 30 minutes.

Ultrasound of the Heart

An echocardiogram checks how your heart is functioning and how your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound technology to see how blood moves through your heart. An echocardiogram can help your doctor diagnose heart conditions.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. There is no food or drinking restrictions.

2. Take your medications as scheduled.

3. Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide

4. An echocardiogram usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes.

Ultrasound of Carotid/Neck

A Carotid Doppler is an imaging exam that uses ultrasound to examine the arteries located in the neck. This test can show narrowing or possible blockages due to plaque buildup in the arteries of the brain, and this could be the first test for early detection for a stroke.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. There is no food or drinking restrictions.
2. Take your medications as scheduled.
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide.
4. A Carotid Ultrasound usually takes about 30 minutes.

Ultrasound of the Arterial Upper and Lower Extremity

An ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test to see how blood is moving through arteries of the body. It combines the imaging capability of ultrasound with the noise recording capability of a Doppler ultrasound.
A duplex ultrasound can identify the plaque buildup of a blood vessel and reveal arterial narrowing and/or blockages in both the arms and legs.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. There is no food or drinking restrictions.
2. Take your medications as scheduled.
3. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing. We may ask you to remove your clothing and dress in a gown we will provide. Leave plenty of time.
4. An Arterial Ultrasound usually takes about 45 minutes.