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Immersed in today’ sfast-paced, always-onculture, we’ re now facedwithmorestressthanever. Andthe olderwe get, theharderitisfor ourbodiestohandle thestrains we impose on adailybasis. Forthose at high risk of cardiovasculardisease, thisrings true even more. Intaking an individualizedapproachtoyourcare, yourdoctormay referyou to acardiologist for astress test togauge your cardiac health.
If you’ re havingsymptomssuchasshortness of breath, chestpain, or irregularheartbeat during physical activity, gettingastresstestmay helpdiagnoseorestimate your risk of developingheart disease, identifyspecific heartrhythm problems, and link symptoms to their root causes.
Themostcommontype of stress test is oneusingexercise. The idea is to putthe heartunder stress in acontrolled environment and observewhat happens. Typically tested on atreadmillorstationarybike, patients will be hooked up to heart-monitoring equipmentand then beginwalking or biking at aslow pace. Overtime, speedand intensitywill increase, and thephysician will trackheart rate, breathing, bloodpressure, and leveloffatigue.
Though thetestmay seem intimidating, it is routine, safe, andeasytoprepare for. If youexperience dizziness, wheezing, highorlow bloodpressure, arrhythmia, chest pain, or anyother abnormalities, yourdoctorwillstopthe test and treat anyadverse effectsimmediately. Yourriskisnomore than apower walk or uphilljob, and thebenefits couldbe lifesaving. Preparation mayinclude afew hoursoffasting andnosmoking. You canwearcomfortableclothes and will be guided throughthe process. And, best of all, youcan go foryourtestwithout atriptothe hospital.
Mahesh Bikkina, MD Cardiologist
Englewood Hospital and Medical Centerisworking to take thestress outofstresstesting by adding more convenient locations.“ Our patients can now seek comprehensive cardiac evaluationsinFairLawn, PomptonPlains, andWoodland Park,” said Dr. Mahesh Bikkina, MD, acardiologistatHeart & VascularAssociatesand at Englewood Hospital andMedical Center, referring to themedical center’ sthree satellite CardiacImagingCenters( see sidebar).
The bottom line? You can breathe a sigh of relief, put your mind at ease, and gettestedonyourown time. �
Cardiac Imaging Centers of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
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22-18Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ07410 201-475-5050
1225 McBrideAvenue, WoodlandPark, NJ 07424 973-812-0250
637Route23South, PomptonPlains, NJ 07444 862-666-9107
To find aphysician, call 866-980-3462 or visit englewoodhealth. org.