Your partner in cardiovascular testing.

Echocardiography is a painless cardiac test that uses sound waves to monitor and create moving pictures of your heart. These tests are used to give your health care team a good indication of how well your heart’s chambers and valves are working. Echocardiographic testing also can pinpoint areas within the heart that may not be contracting well due to poor blood flow or previous injury, problems with the valves of the heart as well as possible blood clots inside the heart, fluid buildup in the pericardium (the sac around the heart), and problems with the aorta itself. This simple test can help to prevent potentially critical heart issues such as heart attack and heart failure.

An exercise stress echocardiogram test can help determine the condition of your heart, by detecting blockages in the blood vessels in the heart. When you exercise, your body requires more oxygen which is supplied by your heart as your body works harder. This test helps monitor the blood supply to the heart and can help your doctor determine the amount and type of exercise that may be appropriate for you. During this simple, non-invasive test, you will be hooked up to a monitor while on a treadmill or recumbent bike to test exertion within the heart. When complete, you will be asked to sit or lie down to have your heart and blood pressure checked. At Circulate, we also offer an echostress test, during which images of the heart are assessed at rest and after exercise.

When an exercise stress test is not possible due to fitness related physical health concerns, arthritis, other joint problems or leg pains, a Dobutamine stress echocardiogram, known simply as a pharmacological stress test – may be suggested by your doctor. For this test, medication is injected through the vein to help mimic heart stress generally associated with exercise. Your safety and health are incredibly important to us, and a pharmacologic stress test could be an excellent alternative to exercise based testing.

ABPM consists of a small blood pressure cuff connected to a monitor, normally worn on your belt, that will automatically check your blood pressure approximately every 30 minutes (including while you’re sleeping). Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) measures a patient’s average blood pressure periodically over a 24-hour timeframe using a small, portable monitor. Using your data and diary notes, your doctor will review the information with you to decide if your treatment program is having its intended effect.

Your doctor may ask you to wear a Holter monitor for 72 hours to measure the rhythm of your heart. This test measures the rhythm of your heart. This test is often performed after an echocardiogram to get a more in-depth understanding of any potential issues, such as arrhythmia, recording each of your heartbeats during the test period. This test is useful for patients with symptoms of palpitations, heart racing, dizziness or loss of consciousness, as these symptoms can be potentially caused by a heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).

The ankle-brachial index measurement is a quick, painless, and non-invasive test used by your doctor to check for peripheral artery disease, or PAD. This disease causes reduced blood flow to your limbs, which can lead to leg pain and increased risk of heart attack or stroke. The test involves the use of a blood pressure cuff at your ankle and just above your elbow, alongside the use of an ultrasound device. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have risk factors for PAD, such as a history of smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

Spirometry is a common diagnostic test that is used to determine the overall health of your lungs. Normally used test for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma, it can also be used alongside standard cardiac testing for patients who have problems breathing. Your doctor will ask you to take a big breath, then blow as hard as you can into a machine, testing how much and how fast you can blow air out.

*Please note – Temporarily suspended per ministry of health directives owing to COVID 19.