Clinical Diagnostic Unit

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The ECG is an electrical reading of your heart rate.  It provides information about your heart’s rhythm, anatomy and function.

The test only takes 10 minutes, is painless and safe.  No preparation is needed.  This test can be completed on any age.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or Cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Holter Monitor

The Holter monitor is a small portable recorder that is attached to you using some stickers. It provides a continuous recording of your heart rate over a period of 24 – 72 hours determined by your doctor.  While the monitor is on you continue your daily living. It is designed to evaluate and detect any abnormalities in your heart electrical rhythm.

You will be able to undertake normal activities while the monitor is attached, however, you will not be able to take a bath, shower, or get your chest area wet during the test.

It only takes 20 minutes to apply the monitor, it is safe and painless. No preparation is needed.

You will be asked to return the monitor the following day to be analysed. 

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or Cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor

The blood pressure monitor is a small portable recorder that is attached to you by a blood pressure cuff on your arm. This test involves regular readings of your blood pressure over a period of 24 hours. It is designed to evaluate and detect any abnormalities in your blood pressure.

You will be able to undertake normal activities while the monitor is attached, however, you will not be able to take a bath, shower, or get the monitor and cuff wet during the test.

It only takes 15 minutes to apply the monitor, it is safe and painless. No preparation is needed.

You will be asked to return the monitor the following day for the information to be analysed.

NOTE: There is a $50 out-of-pocket cost for our blood pressure monitors that you pay on the day of the test.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or Cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Echocardiogram (TTE)

The Echocardiogram (TTE) is an ultrasound of your heart. It evaluates the function of your heart and can detect anatomic abnormalities in the heart.

An ultrasound transducer is used in different positions on your chest.

The test takes approximately 45 minutes to be completed.  No preparation is required.  This test will not be conducted on anyone under the age of 16 years old.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or Cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Exercise ECG Stress Test

The exercise ECG stress test is a test to evaluate how your heart responds to exercise on a treadmill.

The test takes about 30 minutes to complete and will require you to walk on a treadmill. The treadmill begins quite slowly. Every few minutes the machine will increase in speed and incline in order to make your heart work harder.

On booking you will be given specific instructions about any medications that need to be withheld before the test.  Instructions will also be given on limiting the amount of caffeine and smoking on the day.  Appropriate shoes are to be worn, i.e. sneakers or walking shoes.  This test will not be conducted on anyone under the age of 17 years old.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Exercise Stress Echocardiogram

A stress echocardiogram is a combination of an Echocardiogram and an exercise ECG stress test. 

The test takes about 30 minutes to compete and will require you to walk on a treadmill.

On booking you will be given specific instructions about any medications that need to be withheld before the test.  Instructions will also be given on limiting the amount of caffeine and smoking on the day.  Appropriate shoes are to be worn, i.e. sneakers or walking shoes.  This test will not be conducted on anyone under the age of 17 years old.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a cardiologist. The results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Pacemaker, Defibrillator, and Loop Recorder Testing

This is a clinic that reviews and interrogates pacemakers, defibrillators and loop recorders that have been implanted in patients.

The physician or Cardiologist will review any abnormal heart rhythms and check the battery.  These tests are booked on a regular basis and important to ensure the device is functioning correctly.

The information from the test will be reviewed by a physician or Cardiologist and the results will be sent to the referring doctor and your treating team.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An EEG is a recording of the electrical activity in the brain or brain waves.  This test is used to investigate epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

There will be small metal discs, called electrodes, placed on the head with sticky paste.

The test is painless and takes approximately 1 hour to perform and can be performed on all ages.

The patient will require to sit in a recliner with limited movement, may be required to do some deep breathing and will look at some flashing lights.  The staff have strategies to assist with children. The only preparation is to have clean dry hair with no products in the hair.

Sleep-deprived Electroencephalogram

A sleep deprived EEG is the same as a normal EEG except the patient will be sleep deprived and the patient will have a asleep. 

The test is painless and takes approximately 1.5 hours to perform.

Instructions will be given of the length of time to withhold sleep.  Adults go 24 hours without sleep before the test.  Depending on the age of the child determines the length of sleep allowed.