A cardiac stress test, also called a heart stress test, evaluates how well your heart functions when it is working its hardest. This test is most commonly performed while you walk on a treadmill. For patients who cannot use a treadmill, a specialist may use medication to safely simulate the physical stress of exercise.
During the test, your heart works harder to support your body, requiring more oxygen and pumping more blood. Health care providers evaluate how well your heart handles this increased workload by tracking several key factors:
If your results indicate a potential issue, further testing may be recommended to help diagnose or rule out a heart condition.
A vascular ultrasound offers a painless, radiation-free way for your care team to view your circulatory system in real time. Because the test uses sound waves instead of contrast dyes or radiation, it tends to be safer and more comfortable while requiring no downtime.
This routine test typically requires no advance preparation.
When you arrive, you will be invited to lie down on an exam table. An ultrasound technologist will apply a warm, water-based gel to the area of your skin being evaluated. The technologist will then gently glide a small, handheld device called a transducer over the gel.
The transducer sends silent sound waves into your body, which bounce back to create high-definition images on a computer screen. You may hear rhythmic whooshing sounds during the test—this is simply the ultrasound machine translating the sound of your blood flow into an audible signal. Once the exam is complete, our affiliated specialists will carefully review the digital images to guide your care.
Typically, there is no recovery period or downtime required after a vascular ultrasound. You can leave our clinic and resume your normal daily activities after the test is completed.
Because a vascular ultrasound relies entirely on safe sound waves rather than radiation, there are no major known risks or side effects. The procedure is entirely noninvasive and painless.
At Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular, we combine advanced imaging technology with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to help keep your heart and vascular system healthy. Our affiliated specialists use state-of-the-art vascular ultrasound to diagnose conditions, meticulously plan complex procedures and carefully monitor your healing journey. By gathering vital, real-time insights into your circulation, we work to support your recovery and design personalized treatment plans that help you return to your normal routine.
If you’d like a referral to a heart and vascular specialist or want more information about our services, please fill out the form below. For other inquiries, such as obtaining medical records, imaging reports or test results, please call (713) 222-CARE (2273).