Cardiac Diagnostic Center at Lehigh Valley Health Network–Highland Avenue

An echocardiogram is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess the heart's function and structures. During the procedure, a transducer (like a microphone) sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed on the chest at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the heart and blood vessel tissues, where the waves bounce or "echo" off of the structures. These sound waves are sent to a computer that can create moving images of the heart walls, blood vessels and valves.

An exercise stress test is done to assess the heart's response to stress or exercise. In this test, the ECG is recorded while you are exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike. An ECG tracing will be taken at certain points during the test to compare the effects of increasing stress on the heart.

The Holter monitor is a type of portable electrocardiogram (ECG). It records the electrical activity of the heart continuously over 24 hours or longer while you are away from the doctor's office.

Myocardial perfusion is an imaging test. It's also called a nuclear stress test. It is done to show how well blood flows through the heart muscle. It also shows how well the heart muscle is pumping. This test may be done during rest and while you exercise.

An echocardiogram is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) test used to see how well the heart is working. An exercise echocardiogram is done to assess the heart's response to stress or exercise and compare the results to when the heart is at rest.

Vascular studies are tests that check the blood flow in your arteries and veins. Vascular studies use high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to measure the amount of blood flow in your blood vessels. A small handheld probe (transducer) is pressed against your skin.