
ECG/Stress Testing Laboratories at Mount Zion
The UCSF ECG/Stress Testing Laboratories at Mount Zion have the most advanced equipment available for diagnosing cardiovascular disorders. We perform technologically enhanced versions of traditional diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, Holter monitoring – wearing a device that records your heart's activity for a day or longer – and exercise stress testing, which assesses your heart's ability to function during exertion.
The lab offers a full array of echocardiography – heart ultrasound – procedures. This includes two-dimensional echocardiography done through the chest wall or by bringing the ultrasound probe into the esophagus with an endoscope, which can produce clearer images because the sound waves do not need to pass through skin, bone and other tissues. Also available are stress echocardiography – an ultrasound done before and after a period of exercise – and color flow Doppler, which can reveal problems with blood flow.
These methods complement other cardiac tests, such as nuclear imaging – a noninvasive technique that uses a small amount of radioactive material to produce a picture of your heart – and computed tomography, in which a computer combines many X-ray measurements to create a detailed image.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Since part of the stress test involves walking on a treadmill to monitor the heart’s functioning, be sure to wear comfortable clothing that you would exercise in. Also, it’s best to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers.
Please do not bring any valuable items like jewelry or other personal items with you to the laboratory.
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Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your condition
- List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes

International Services
If you live in another country and are coming to UCSF for medical
treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

Interpreters
UCSF offers language services at no charge for patients with limited
English, as well as for patients who are deaf or have trouble hearing.

Hospital Stays
Checking into the hospital? Find helpful information by clicking on the relevant “Your Hospital Stay” booklet: Mission Bay, Parnassus or Mount
Zion.

Your Doctor Visit
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