In an exercise stress test, you'll exercise (usually with a treadmill). During exercise, the team will monitor your heart function with a 12-lead electrocardiogram, which measures the heart's electrical activity.
A Holter monitor is a battery-operated device about the size of a small camera. It has wires with electrodes that attach to the skin, and then measure and record the heart's activity (ECG) continuously for 24 to 48 hours.
This test involves the injection of medication called dobutamine, which stimulates the heart in the same way that exercise would. Typically used when a patient is unable to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, it can determine how well the heart tolerates activity, the likelihood of coronary artery disease, and evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment plan.
This test uses ultrasound to make detailed images of the heart and the arteries leading to and from it. Unlike TTE, TEE requires a thin tube that passes through the mouth, down the throat and into the esophagus to obtain the clearest of images. A sedative is typically administered to keep the patient calm. TEE is commonly used to detect any abnormal tissue, blood clots, or how well the heart is pumping.
