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ROUTINE EXERCISE STRESS TEST
WHAT IS A STRESS TEST?
A stress test is an examination during which your heart
rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and electrocardiogram
are evaluated while you perform progressive exercise on a
motor-driven treadmill, or in some cases on a bicycle.
WHY IS A STRESS TEST NECESSARY?
The stress test is useful in the diagnosis of coronary
artery disease in patients with or without symptoms. In
people with known heart disease, the test can help doctors
to determine the severity of the condition, the
effectiveness of treatment and the heart’s response to
exercise.
WHO WILL DO THE TEST?
A cardiologist and a trained cardiac nurse.
WHAT IS THE USUAL PROCEDURE?
A routine EKG will be done followed by an interview
reviewing your symptoms and medications. A simple skin
preparation will be done in the area where the monitoring
electrodes will be placed. You may be asked to perform
strenuous exercise as a part of the test I order to
accurately evalutate your heart’s function. Your doctor
will not allow you to exceed what he feels is a safe level
of exercise for you.
PREPARATION
A
light meal should be eaten no later than one hour before
the test. Please DO NOT
SMOKE OR DRINK COFFEE OR TEA
for 24 hours before the test as this may affect you
resting heart rate.
MEDICATIONS:
Continue to take your medications as prescribed unless
otherwise instructed by your physician. We will need to
know what medications you are taking, so please bring your
medication bottles or a list of your medications with
you.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Comfortable shoes or sneakers if possible. To ensure
modesty, women should wear loose slacks. Wear socks or
knee high hose; no pantyhose please. If you wear glasses,
please bring them, as you will need to read and sign a
consent form. Also,
please arrive 15 minutes early before your scheduled
appointment time, as you may have forms to fill
out.
It is
necessary to restrict caffeine for 24 hours prior to a
procedure or test. Commonly used beverages and foods containing
caffeine would include:
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COFFEE
Brewed drip coffee
Brewed percolator coffee
Instant coffee
Decaffeinated brew coffee
Decaffeinated instant coffee |
TEA
Brewed
commercial tea
Brewed imported tea
Instant
tea
Iced
tea |
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FOOD
Cocoa
Chocolate milk
Milk chocolate
Dark semi-sweet chocolate
Baker’s chocolate
Chocolate syrup
Chocolate cake
Candy, chocolate
Chocolate ice cream
Chocolate pudding
Nut fudge brownie
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SOFT DRINKS
Coca-Cola
Cola, decaffeinated
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper, sugar free
Jolt Cola
Mellow Yellow
Mountain Dew
Mr. Pibb
Pepsi Cola
Pepsi, diet
Tab
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COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS CONTAINING CAFFEINE
Cafergot
Fiorinal
Wigraine (all forms)
Darvon
Synalgos-DC
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A
FEW OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS CONTAINING CAFFEINE
Anacin
Excedrin
NoDoz
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