Patient preparation
Arrive informed and ready.
Preparation can differ by test and by patient. Use this checklist as a general starting point, then follow the instructions provided by Cardio Health or your referring clinician.
Test-specific guidance
Preparation by test.
01Consultation＋
A consultation is typically requested by your family doctor to assess symptoms or an existing condition and develop an appropriate care plan.
Bring relevant medical details
- Requested by
- Referring physician
- Visit focus
- Assessment and care planning
- Patient prep
- Bring relevant medical details
- Who requests it
- Your family doctor or referring physician.
- Purpose
- Assessment of symptoms or an existing condition and development of a care plan.
022D Echocardiogram＋
ECHO is a non-invasive, painless ultrasound of your heart.
No special preparation is needed for a standard echocardiogram.
- Duration
- 30–45 minutes
- Patient prep
- No special preparation
- Test type
- Non-invasive ultrasound
- What is it?
- Sound waves create moving images that show the heart’s size and structure, valve function, and how well the heart pumps.
- Why is it done?
- It may assess murmurs, heart muscle damage after heart attack, infections, abnormal heart sounds, shortness of breath, palpitations, angina, stroke history, and valve problems.
- How long does it take?
- 30–45 minutes.
03Electrocardiogram＋
An ECG, also called an EKG, is a quick test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
No special preparation is needed, but avoid strenuous exercise immediately before the test.
- Duration
- 5–15 minutes
- Patient prep
- Avoid strenuous exercise right before
- Test type
- Electrical heart activity
- What is it?
- Each heartbeat creates an electrical impulse. An ECG records this activity so a doctor can see whether it is normal or irregular.
- Why is it done?
- An ECG can identify abnormal heart rhythms and patterns associated with a current or previous heart attack, reduced blood flow, heart enlargement, inflammation around the heart, or changes that can occur with electrolyte or lung conditions. It does not independently confirm a blocked coronary artery, and further testing may be needed.
- How long does it take?
- 5–15 minutes.
04Holter Monitoring＋
Holter monitoring records your heart’s electrical activity over the period requested by your doctor.
Bathe before your appointment. Once monitoring begins, the monitor cannot get wet or be removed for bathing.
- Duration
- 72 hours, 7 days, or 14 days
- Patient prep
- Bathe before appointment
- Important
- Monitor cannot get wet
- What is it?
- A small recorder connects to electrodes on your chest and records heart rate and rhythm over 72 hours, 7 days, or 14 days for later analysis.
- Event monitoring
- An event monitor continuously records your heart rhythm and allows you to mark when symptoms occur.
- Why is it done?
- It can help determine how the heart responds to normal activity, assess rhythm problems, support post-heart-attack care, or monitor a new heart medicine.
- How long does it take?
- 72 hours, 7 days, or 14 days.
05Ambulatory Blood Pressure＋
A portable monitor records blood pressure at regular intervals during a normal 24-hour day.
This test is not covered by OHIP.
Wear loose clothing and a short-sleeved shirt if possible. Bathe before the appointment and avoid body lotion or oil on your arms.
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Coverage
- Not covered by OHIP
- Patient prep
- Loose clothing, no arm lotion
- What is it?
- A blood pressure cuff connects to a lightweight monitor worn in a waist pouch or shoulder strap.
- Why is it done?
- It can assess white coat syndrome, hypertension, hypotension, and the effectiveness of blood pressure medication.
- How long does it take?
- 24 hours.
06Stress Echo＋
A stress echocardiogram combines treadmill stress testing with 2D echocardiography to look for electrical or wall-motion abnormalities.
Follow the instructions provided when your appointment was booked. These may include guidance about food, caffeine, smoking, and medications. Do not stop or change medication unless your referring clinician or Cardio Health instructs you to. Bring prescribed inhalers and wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Patient prep
- Follow your booking instructions
- Wear
- Comfortable clothes and soft-soled walking shoes
- What is it?
- Ultrasound imaging shows how well the heart muscle pumps blood before and after exercise while ECG and blood pressure are monitored.
- Why is it done?
- Your doctor may order it for new or worsening angina, recent heart attack, pre-surgery assessment, exercise planning, or heart valve problems.
- How long does it take?
- About 1 hour, with Echo Doppler performed before and after the stress test.
07Exercise Stress Test＋
An exercise stress test uses a treadmill to raise your heart rate and assess how the heart responds under stress.
Follow the instructions provided when your appointment was booked. These may include guidance about food, caffeine, smoking, and medications. Do not stop or change medication unless your referring clinician or Cardio Health instructs you to. Bring prescribed inhalers and wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Patient prep
- Follow your booking instructions
- Wear
- Comfortable clothes and soft-soled walking shoes
- What is it?
- You walk on a treadmill at increasing levels while ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored.
- Why is it done?
- It provides information about blood flow during activity, medication effectiveness, coronary heart disease likelihood, rhythm issues, valve function, and safe exercise planning.
- How long does it take?
- About 1 hour.
Before your appointment
Appointment checklist.
Your booking instructions come first. Do not change medication, food, caffeine, or activity routines unless your clinical team has instructed you to do so.
- 01Confirm the clinic
Check the address, date, arrival time, and the service booked.
- 02Read your instructions
Follow the food, caffeine, activity, medication, and monitor instructions provided for your test.
- 03Bring what was requested
Have your health card, medication list, and any other requested documents ready.
- 04Dress for the appointment
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear if your booking instructions mention exercise testing.
- 05Ask before your visit
Call the clinic if an instruction is unclear or your health circumstances change.
Plans can change
Running late, need to reschedule, or need accessibility support?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. This website and the central phone line are not emergency services.