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Procedure | Price Range | |
---|---|---|
Pulmonary Tests (Stress Test) Cost Average | $260 - $675 | Free Quote |
Cardiovascular Stress Test Cost Average | $975 - $2,550 | Free Quote |
Facility | City | Type |
---|---|---|
ANI | Birmingham | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Children's Hospital | Birmingham | Childrens Hospital |
Birmingham PET Imaging | Birmingham | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Brookwood Medical Center | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
American Health Imaging of Alabama | Birmingham | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Vestavia Hills Imaging Center | Vestavia Hills | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Walker Baptist Medical Center | Jasper | Acute Care Hospital |
Advanced Medical Interpretations | Pelham | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Alabama Radiologists | Bessemer | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Uab Highlands | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Uab Hospital | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Shelby Baptist Medical Center | Alabaster | Acute Care Hospital |
Princeton Baptist | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Uab Medical West | Bessemer | Acute Care Hospital |
Vestavia MRI | Birmingham | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Saint Vincent's Birmingham | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Cooper Green Mercy Hospital | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Chilton Medical Center | Clanton | Acute Care Hospital |
Walker Medical Diagnostics | Jasper | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Physicians-carraway Medical Center | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
North Jefferson Imaging | Gardendale | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Medical West Imaging Center | Bessemer | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Medica Stand-up MRI of Birmingham | Homewood | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Saint Vincent's Saint Clair | Pell City | Acute Care Hospital |
Saint Vincent's East | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Shades Mountain Imaging | Vestavia Hills | Diagnostic Testing Facility |
Trinity Medical Center | Birmingham | Acute Care Hospital |
Stress Test Patient Preparation
Do not eat or drink for three hours prior to the procedure. This reduces the likelihood of nausea that may accompany strenuous exercise after a heavy meal. If you are a diabetic, make sure you let your doctor know ahead of time so you can get specific instructions regarding your insulin prior to your Stress Test. A good rule of thumb for Insulin Dependent Diabetics is to eat a small meal 4 hours prior to your test and then take your insulin. For Non-Insulin Diabetics, eat a light meal 4 hours prior to your test and then take your oral medication. It is important to monitor your glucose levels prior to the test. Your glucose should be less than 150. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for exercise. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants a few days prior to the test in that they may affect the results of your test. Avoid skin oils and lubricants prior to the test in that it may inhibit the test electrodes from sticking to your skin. Check with your doctor but most likely heart medicines will need to be stopped one or two days prior to the test. Discuss all medications or herbal supplements you are taking prior to the test. Some of these may alter your test results and your physician and the technician should be aware of what you take prior to the test. Bring a list of all your medications with you for review by the facility.
What to expect during and after a Stress Test
A Stress Test is a relatively painless procedure. The only discomfort may be associated with the exercise performed in order to put the heart under stress and possibly the adhesives used to attach the electrical leads, electrodes, to your chest. The exam does not produce electricity, but simply records the electrical activity produced by a patient's heart. The overall preparation and test will take approximately 60 minutes not including waiting time. When the test is ready to be run a technician will bring the EKG machine to the patient and attach the leads onto the patient's chest with small stickers. Prior to starting to exercise, the technician will perform an EKG test to measure your heart rate and blood pressure at rest. Upon completion, you will be asked to run on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike to increase your heart rate. The EKG test will be on and monitored at regular intervals by the technician during your exercise. It is important to tell the technician if you feel chest, arm, or jaw pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, or any other unusual symptoms. You will be asked to exercise until you feel exhausted or for about 10 to 12 minutes.
After the test you will cool down by walking or pedaling slowly for a few minutes. The EKG test will continue to be on to monitor your heart until all levels return to normal. Your EKG results will be interpreted by a trained doctor and then discussed with you directly.
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