At The Heartbeat Clinic, we offer a range of advanced diagnostic tools, including stress tests, CPET and Stress Echo to assess your cardiovascular health and determine how your heart responds under stress.
Stress testing is essential for diagnosing various heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. By evaluating your heart’s performance during physical exertion, we can create best treatment plans to improve your heart health and quality of life.
At The Heartbeat Clinic, we provide three main types of stress tests, each designed to assess your health through varying levels of evaluation.
A stress test may be recommended by your health care provider for the following reasons:
A stress test is a diagnostic tool that measures how your heart works during physical activity. During the test, you’ll typically walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike while being closely monitored. The test increases the workload on your heart, mimicking conditions where your heart needs more oxygen and nutrients, helping to reveal any issues with blood flow, heart rhythm, or lung function that may not be apparent at rest.
We offer various types of stress tests to provide the most comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, each targeting specific aspects of your heart and lung performance.
A stress test typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, including preparation time, though some tests like CPET may take longer.
Wear comfortable clothing, avoid food and caffeine for 3-24 hours before, and consult your doctor about medications.
People with severe heart failure, uncontrolled blood pressure, or recent heart events should opt for a Lexiscan Stress Test. It ensures the test is safe and effective, considering any underlying health issues.
Yes, manage your blood sugar levels, adjust medications, and bring snacks or glucose tablets.
You will walk on a treadmill or bike as your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored.
We monitor your recovery, discuss results, and provide any necessary follow-up care.}
Normal stress test results indicate that your heart is functioning well under stress, with adequate blood flow and oxygen delivery during exercise. This usually means that your heart condition is stable, and no significant coronary artery blockages were detected.
Abnormal stress test results could indicate a variety of issues, including restricted blood flow to the heart, heart rhythm abnormalities, or heart muscle damage. If your results are abnormal, we’ll discuss the next steps, which may include further testing, lifestyle changes, medications, or in some cases, procedures like angioplasty or stent placement. Our team will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your results.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) is a highly specialized test that measures how well your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during exercise. CPET is often considered the gold standard for evaluating exercise tolerance and can diagnose both heart and lung conditions, as well as determine the cause of unexplained shortness of breath.
CPET is particularly useful for diagnosing unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, and evaluating the severity of heart and lung conditions. It provides valuable data for managing heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Yes, cardiac stress testing is generally safe and is conducted under close medical supervision. The healthcare professionals at The Heartbeat Clinic are trained to monitor your heart and blood pressure throughout the test, ensuring your safety at every stage. While some people may experience temporary dizziness or fatigue, these symptoms usually resolve quickly after the test. In the rare event of complications, our team is fully prepared to respond immediately.
CPET tests usually last between 45 to 90 minutes, including preparation and recovery time.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoid eating or drinking anything except water for at least 3 hours prior, and follow your doctor's guidance on medication.
Eligibility ensures that patients are physically able to undergo this intensive exercise test without risk.
Yes, it’s important to manage your blood sugar levels and consult with your doctor on insulin or medication adjustments.
You will perform graded physical activity on a treadmill or bike while your heart, lungs, and metabolism are closely monitored.
We’ll assess your recovery, review results, and provide recommendations based on your cardiovascular and respiratory performance.
Patients with severe heart or lung conditions may need alternative testing options instead of CPET.}
Normal Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) results show that your heart, lungs, and muscles are functioning well during physical activity, indicating no significant issues with oxygen delivery or exercise capacity.
Abnormal CPET results may indicate conditions such as heart or lung disease, poor exercise tolerance, or impaired muscle function. If your CPET results are abnormal, we’ll recommend further testing or treatments to address the underlying cause and work with you to improve your exercise capacity and overall health.
For patients who are unable to exercise due to physical limitations, we offer Lexiscan Stress Testing. This is a pharmacological stress test that uses a medication called Lexiscan (regadenoson) to simulate the effects of exercise on your heart.
This test is especially beneficial for patients with mobility issues or those who cannot tolerate traditional exercise-based stress tests. Lexiscan provides a safe and effective way to evaluate coronary artery function and detect potential issues with heart health.
A Lexiscan stress test typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes, including preparation and recovery.
Avoid caffeine for 24 hours and follow specific instructions from your doctor regarding medications and diet.
Eligibility ensures the test is safe, especially for patients who cannot perform traditional exercise-based stress tests.
Yes, consult with your doctor regarding insulin or medications, and ensure you bring glucose tablets or snacks.
You’ll receive a medication called Lexiscan to simulate exercise, and your heart's response will be monitored without the need for physical exertion.
We’ll monitor your heart as it returns to normal, review the results, and provide any necessary follow-up care.
Patients with severe respiratory conditions or allergies to Lexiscan medication may require alternative tests.
Normal Lexiscan stress test results indicate that your heart has normal blood flow and there are no significant blockages in your coronary arteries. This suggests your heart is functioning well even under simulated stress.
Abnormal Lexiscan stress test results could signal reduced blood flow to parts of the heart, which may indicate coronary artery disease or other heart conditions. Based on the results, we may recommend additional tests, lifestyle adjustments, medications, or procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement to improve blood flow and heart health.
Stress Echocardiography, or Stress Echo, combines traditional stress testing with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). This test assesses how well your heart’s chambers and valves function under stress and evaluates your heart’s ability to pump blood.
Stress Echo is excellent for detecting heart disease, valvular heart issues, and identifying regions of the heart that may not be receiving adequate blood flow. It is non-invasive and provides real-time images of your heart’s function during stress.
A Stress Echo combines a traditional stress test with an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart). First, an echocardiogram is taken while you’re at rest to capture baseline images of your heart. Then, you’ll undergo either an exercise or Lexiscan-induced stress test. Once your heart is stressed, another echocardiogram is performed to capture images of your heart’s function under strain, helping detect any blood flow issues or heart muscle damage.
A stress echo usually lasts around 45 to 60 minutes, including preparation and recovery time.
Wear comfortable clothing, avoid eating or drinking for 3 hours before, and consult your doctor about medication usage.
Eligibility ensures that the patient is fit to undergo physical exertion and that the test is appropriate for their condition.
Yes, manage your blood sugar levels carefully, and consult your doctor regarding insulin or medication adjustments.
You will either walk on a treadmill or be given medication while an echocardiogram is taken before and after to monitor heart function.
We will analyze your heart’s performance under stress and recommend any follow-up actions or treatment plans based on the results.
Patients with severe heart conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, or recent heart events may require an alternative test.
A normal stress echocardiogram (stress echo) result indicates that your heart muscle is functioning properly, with no signs of reduced blood flow or valve problems under stress conditions.
Abnormal stress echo results may suggest poor blood flow to the heart muscle, valve dysfunction, or other structural heart issues. If your results are abnormal, we will guide you through the necessary next steps, which may include further diagnostic tests, medications, or procedures to improve your heart’s performance.
At The Heartbeat Clinic, we prioritize patient care, safety, and accurate diagnosis. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and experienced team ensure that you receive the highest quality of care throughout your stress test. Whether you’re undergoing a CPET, Lexiscan Stress Test, or Stress Echo, our goal is to provide comprehensive results that allow for a personalized and effective treatment plan.
See what our patients say about the care they received at our clinic. Each story shows our dedication to top-notch heart care and patient happiness.
Ari Frank2024-07-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First off I would like to say that the wait time can be long sometimes, but the best is worth the wait. Dr. Suleman is an amazing doctor and his staff most definitely show his same mannerisms. My nurse Leraido (sorry for butchering your name) was amazing and kind. Thanks Heart Beat Clinic Keli Lark2024-01-22Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. You will wait forever to see him so plan on being there the whole day but you will get the most comprehensive testing and help. More so than anyone else I've ever seen. Finally got a diagnosis after two years of specialists and GPs dismissing me. He is worth the wait. Nicole Borgerding2023-01-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Suleman and his staff are amazing. Is he the "sit you down and hug you" type, no. Is he highly knowledge and informative in what he does, more than I could ever describe in words - YES! He provided resources for me to educate myself further and presented all of my options, before WE figured out the best solution for ME. As someone who's seen well over 15 specialists this year, throughout a nightmare diagnostics journey, he is by far the most respected and favored of any of them. Couldn't recommend him more. Joanna Rich2022-08-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I finally feel like I'm moving forward and getting taken seriously by the Heartbeat Clinic and Dr. Suleman. Update: Answers! It's been a few months since I first posted and I wanted to stress that although it may feel like a lot (I did a number of tests over the last three months) I am finally getting answers. Dr. Suleman took my pain and frustration and didn't tell me I was crazy or just do a basic check up. I can see why I was referred to him. The office in McKinney is easy to locate with lots of parking. Josue Mercado2022-07-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Suleman is one of the very few doctors I trust and truly admire for his knowledge for POTS. I developed POTS after Covid and he did very extensive testing which no other doctor wanted to do at first. His straightforward and I personally recommend him for any dysautonomia issue! All testing is in his office besides labs, which is very convenient since you are not having to go to multiple places. I trust Dr. Suleman so much that I have referred many people to his practice from all over the world. I highly recommend him!
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, a stress test may be the next step in assessing your heart health. Contact The Heartbeat Clinic today to schedule a consultation and find out which stress test is right for you. We are committed to helping you improve your heart health and live life to the fullest.
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