Our Services.
At Georgian Cardiology Associates, we offer a variety of cardiac testing conveniently located in our office. These include ECG, Holter monitoring, ambulatory BP monitoring, treadmill stress testing, echocardiography and stress echocardiography. For all other testing we refer you to our partner hospitals. Please see details on this testing below.
Click a specific service below, or scroll to see our areas of expertise.
Electrocardiography
What it is: An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a short recording of the electrical activity in the heart captured by leads placed on the chest wall.
Preparation: No special preparation required. Wear a loose fitting top as you will be required to remove it to facilitate the test and do not apply cream or lotion to your chest.
Duration: The examination will last from 2-5 minutes.
Medications: You can take all your medications as scheduled.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Ambulatory Arrhythmia Monitoring (Holter Monitor)
What it is: A Holter monitor allows for the continuous recording of the electrical activity of the heart for an extended duration of time.
Preparation: No special preparation required. We recommend not applying cream or lotion to your chest prior to the examination.
Duration: The attachment takes approximately 20 minutes to do and the patient wears the monitor for the duration specified.
Medications: We recommend taking all your medications as prescribed unless otherwise specified by your cardiologist.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving while wearing a Holter monitor.
Treadmill Stress Test
What it is: A stress test is a procedure that allows your cardiologist to assess your exercise capacity and determine whether your heart muscle is receiving enough blood flow.
Preparation: No special preparation required. We suggest not applying cream or lotion to your chest prior to the examination.
Duration: The test will last from 30-45 minutes but most patients can exercise between 5-15 minutes.
Medications: Take all medications unless advised by physician to stop as some medications can interfere with the test.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Echocardiography
What it is: An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It is performed to better assess the structure of the heart including the muscle function, valve function and size of the great vessels.
Preparation: No special preparation is required. You will be placed in a gown and one of our sonographers will place a probe (transducer) on your chest in order to take images.
Duration: The examination will last about 45 minutes to an hour.
Medications: Please take all medications as prescribed, if applicable.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving after an echocardiogram.
Stress Echocardiography
What it is: Stress echo is a stress test combined with ultrasound images of the heart to assess how well your heart works with exercise. It is used to look for coronary artery disease (CAD)
Preparation: Please do not eat for 3 hours prior to the test and no caffeine for 6 hours prior. Bring comfortable clothes and running shoes.
Duration: The test will take about an hour to complete with a combination of rest and stress images.
Medications: Your cardiologist may ask you to hold certain medications that slow down your heart rate (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers) in order to increase the chances of a successful test.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring ($60 Charge)
What it is: An ABPM is a portable, digital blood pressure monitor that you wear for 24 hours in order to more accurately assess your blood pressure throughout the day and night.
Preparation: No special preparation is required. You may perform your usual daily activities.
Duration: The cuff is worn for a 24 hour period with inflations every 15-30 minutes in the day and 30-60 minutes at night.
Medications: Please take all your medications as prescribed, unless otherwise specified by your cardiologist.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Off-site Services.
There are several types of diagnostic tests in cardiovascular medicine. For example, we have the ability to study the heart’s arteries (coronary angiography), the electrical system (electrophysiology study) and various other functions. Please feel free to read about the ancillary testing/procedures that we do not provide in clinic.
Click a specific service below, or scroll to see our areas of expertise.
Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Scanning
What it is: This is a stress test using a treadmill or medication that indirectly assesses blood flow to heart muscle.
Preparation: Do not eat for 8-12 hours prior to the test and avoid caffeine for 24-48 hours. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes if exercising on the treadmill.
Duration: The test is usually approximately 2-4 hours and is completed over two days (stress and rest images).
Medications: Patients usually need to hold their cardiac medications prior unless otherwise instructed by their physician. Please bring a list of your medications.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving after a nuclear stress test.
Radionuclide Angiography (MUGA)
What it is: A multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan is a nuclear scan which allows for the assessment of heart function.
Preparation: The patient should not eat for 4 hours prior but no other special preparation is needed.
Duration: The test takes about 1-2 hours
Medications: Please take your medications as prescribed.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving after a MUGA scan.
Transesophageal Echocardiography
What it is: A TEE is a procedure performed to view structures in the heart not well visualized with conventional echocardiography. It is a portable and semi-invasive cardiac diagnostic test.
Preparation: Please do not eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the test and no clear fluids for 2 hours.
Duration: The test takes approximately an hour for preparation and performance.
Medications: Please take your medications as prescribed and bring a list of your medications.
Driving: You are instructed not to drive for the remainder of the day (minimum 12 hours) so please arrange for someone to bring you to and from the procedure.
Coronary CTA
What it is: A CCTA is an X-ray-based scan of the coronary arteries using a specialized technique to visualize the arteries of the heart in a non-invasive way.
Preparation: You will be prescribed a medication to slow down your heart to be taken one hour prior to the scan.
Duration: The test takes about 5-10 minutes and you will be given intravenous contrast.
Medications: Take your medications as prescribed in addition to the pill to slow your heart.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving after a CT scan.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What it is: Cardiac MRI is a non-invasive test using no radiation and magnetic fields to create computer-generated images of the heart.
Preparation: You will be asked a series of questions to ensure you do not have a pacemaker, ICD or other components in your body that would not allow you to have the test.
Duration: The test lasts from 30-90 minutes
Medications: You may take your medications as prescribed. Some patients may be prescribed a small sedative 20-30 minutes prior to the scan.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography
What it is: Cardiac PET is test that allows the blood flow and metabolism of the heart to be studied using nuclear tracers. It can assess degree of damage and other conditions like sarcoidosis.
Preparation: Avoid caffeine and drinks or alcohol for 24 hours before the test. Do not eat for 6 hours before the test.
Duration: The test will take 1-3 hours so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Medications: If you have diabetes on insulin, ask your doctor about how much insulin you can take before the scan. Your blood glucose levels will be measured during the test.
Driving: There are no restrictions on driving after this test.
Head-up Tilt Table Testing
What it is: A tilt-table test is used to evaluate the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope).
Preparation: Do not eat or drink for 2 hours prior.
Duration: The test will last from 30-90 minutes depending on whether medications are given.
Medications: You can take all your medications as scheduled.
Driving: There are no restrictions to driving after a tilt-table test unless you have fainted and then speak to the physician supervising.
Electrophysiology Study/Catheter Ablation
What it is: An EP study is a specialized procedure that allows your doctor to look at the electrical signals of the heart and pinpoint the source of any abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Preparation: Do not eat or drink anything for 6-8 hours before the test.
Duration: The EP study will last anywhere from 1-4 hours on average depending on if ablation is done using small amounts of radiofrequency energy.
Medications: Take your medications as prescribed unless your doctor asks you to stop specific ones prior (e.g. anti-arrhythmics).
Driving: You are instructed not to drive after an EPS and ablation so have someone bring you to and from the appointment.
Cardiac Catheterization
What it is: A coronary angiogram is a dye test used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD). It also measures the pressures in the heart.
Preparation: Do not eat or drink anything for 6-8 hours before the procedure.
Duration: The procedure will take 30-60 minutes.
Medications: Take your medications as prescribed. Your doctor may prescribe additional blood thinners if you are going to get a stent.
Driving: You are instructed not to drive following the procedure. Please arrange to have someone bring you home.
Permanent Pacemaker/Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation
What it is: A pacemaker is a small device inserted in the heart to prevent the heart rate from going too low. An ICD is a device that can pace or shock you out of potentially life-threatening heart rhythms.
Preparation: Do not eat or drink for 6-8 hours prior to the implantation.
Duration: The procedure will take 30-60 minutes.
Medications: You may take your medications as prescribed. If you are on a blood thinner, please ask for instructions on if and when to stop it prior to the procedure.
Driving: Please arrange to have someone drive you home as there are driving restrictions post-implant depending on the reason for the device.