For patients
Information to help you prepare for your appointment, understand your condition, and make the most of your care.
Test-specific preparation for echocardiography, exercise stress testing, ECG, and (on launch) Holter monitoring. The downloadable handout “Preparing for Your Cardiac Tests” covers all four.
Download the test-prep handout Download the handout
Wear comfortable clothing and proper walking or running shoes. Have only a light meal beforehand and avoid caffeine for several hours, as it can affect the results. Bring a list of your medications, and if you use an inhaler, bring it with you. If you have diabetes, ask us how to manage your food and medication on the day of the test.
No special preparation is required. Eat normally and take your medications as usual. Wear comfortable two-piece clothing for your appointment.
No preparation is needed. It is recommended to avoid applying heavy lotions or creams to your chest on the day of the test.
Shower before your appointment, as the device cannot get wet while you are wearing it. Wear a loose-fitting two-piece outfit so the small electrodes can be easily connected to the recorder. Continue your usual daily activities and keep a brief diary of any symptoms you experience, noting the time they occur. Return the monitor as instructed so your cardiologist can review the complete recording.
Plain-language overviews, each with a downloadable handout.
Four handouts
Understanding your condition and how to manage it: what is happening, the symptoms to watch, and the daily self-care that makes a difference.
DownloadAn irregular heart rhythm: what it means, how stroke risk is lowered, and how the rate or rhythm is controlled.
DownloadNarrowing of the aortic valve: what is happening, the symptoms to watch for, and how it is monitored and treated.
DownloadPostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: how it is defined and diagnosed, and the everyday measures that come first.
DownloadRead these conditions explained on the site, without downloading anything.
Patients need a physician referral to be seen.
Patients are notified about upcoming appointments by automated text reminders and a personalized phone call to book the appointment.
For a first visit, patients complete an intake survey sent to them by text.
If a patient is unable to complete the survey, they should bring a current medication list to the appointment instead.
Virtual visits are completed either with the physician directly, or with a nurse working under the cardiologist’s guidance, to review new test results, current symptoms, the impact of a new medication change, or to address any urgent concerns.