The Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) Cardiac Lab performs a number of tests on the heart and circulatory system. These tests include:

ECG or EKG (Electrocardiogram) -- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a graphic display of the electrical activity of the heart. It is one of the most common tests done by a cardiologist in examining the activity of the heart and in order to diagnosis suspected problems, check on the effects of medications or devices affecting the heart rhythm or rate or obtain information to use as a basis for comparisons later on.

Echocardiogram -- An ultrasound test used to examine the movement of the heart in real-time images.

Stress Echocardiogram -- A test to examine the heart through ultrasound images following exercise. Images are taken before and after walking on a treadmill to reveal which parts of the heart may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.

Dobutamine Echocardiogram -- Similar to the stress echocardiogram, but for patients who aren't able to exercise, the medication dobutamine is given by IV to quicken the heart rate. Ultrasound images can then be taken to reveal which parts of the heart may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.

Stress (Exercise Electrocardiogram) -- A test to measure the effects of exercise on your heart. While walking on a treadmill, the electrical activity of the heart will be measured and evaluated by the cardiologist. No imaging of the heart is done in this test.

Holter Monitor -- A device used to monitor the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time, similar to an electrocardiogram. This device is usually worn for 24 hours and records heart activity which can be examined by the cardiologist.

Event Monitor -- Like the Holter Monitor, a device is worn over a period of time to record heart activity. Usually, the device is turned on when an "event" -- heart symptoms -- occur. The data can be downloaded by the cardiologist and examined to diagnose heart problems.