Patient Information

Home Preperation for an ECG

You may eat and drink as usual and take your medications.
You should not apply cream, lotion, powder or oil to your chest, arms or legs before the test.
You will be undressing from the waist up and will be provided with a gown. You will need to roll up pant legs to knees.

Cardiac Consult

You will receive instructions for your Cardia Consult Via the Calgary Heart Centre

ECG (Electrocardiogram) Procedure

At the reception desk present your Alberta Health Card (or provincial equivalent).
You may be asked to roll up your sleeves or remove jewelry from your wrists or neck to avoid interference.
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female, a gown will be given to you to maintain your privacy.
The technologist will clean small areas on your chest, arms, and legs and place adhesive electrodes on your skin. These electrodes are connected to the ECG machine.
You will be asked to lie still on the exam table and breathe normally while your heart’s electrical activity is recorded. This is a painless test and takes only a few minutes.
Once the recording is complete, the electrodes will be removed.
You are now free to go home. You do NOT have to check out at the front desk.

Echocardiogram Procedure

At the reception desk and present your Alberta Health Card (or provincial equivalent).
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female a gown will be given to you.
Your blood pressure will be taken – the blood pressure cuff will become very tight on your arm. Please tell us if you cannot use an arm for a medical reason.
The sonographer will attach 3 ECG leads on your chest so your heart beat can be recorded during the test. You will then be asked to lie on your left side if possible – this puts the heart in the best position.
The transducer is put in 4 positions on your chest with gel going in those same positions – mid chest, below the armpit, just above the stomach and just under your chin just below your voice box.
At times you may have to be repositioned – that is normal and has everything to do with your body type and how your heart is positioned in your chest.
When you are done you can sit up. You will be asked to clean the gel off of your chest.
Sometimes the images have to be checked. If that is the case the sonographer will ask you to wait in the scan room or the waiting room.
You are now free to go home. You do NOT have to check out at the front desk.

You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female a gown will be given to you to maintain your privacy.

Carotid Ultrasound Procedure

At the reception desk present your Alberta Health Card (or provincial equivalent).
Your blood pressure will be taken – the blood pressure cuff will become very tight on your arm. Please tell us if you cannot use an arm for a medical reason.
We will weigh you.
During your scan the sonographer will ask you to turn your head up and to the right and left. The gel used helps the sonographer see the arteries in your neck.
The transducer will be moved up and down your neck.
Sometimes the images have to be checked. If that is the case the Sonographer will ask you to wait in the scan room or the waiting room.
You are now free to go home. You do NOT have to check out at the front desk.

You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female a gown will be given to you to maintain your privacy.

Home Preparation for an Ultrasound

You may eat and drink as usual and take your medications.
You should not apply cream, lotion, powder or oil to your chest before the test.
You will be undressing from the waist up and will be provided with a gown.

Home Preparation for a Carotid

You may eat, drink and take your medications as usual.
If you wear a t-shirt or a shirt with no collar you will not be required to remove clothing from the waist up.

Administration Preparation

Bring your Alberta Health Care Card.
Bring driver’s license or passport.
Know all of your pre-existing medical conditions.
Know all of your medical surgeries.
Bring your requisition if given one.
Know which test you are coming for and why.

Do I have to pay for anything?

No. NWCD is a private clinic, but all services are covered by Alberta Health Care. The only province not accepted by Alberta Health is Quebec, persons from Quebec must pay Cash for their tests

Is there metered parking?

Calgary North has metered parking. Calgary South has free parking.

Where are the clinic’s located?

Depending on which clinic you are booked in click here or on the contacts page to view the address and map.

How long is the wait list?

NWCD will accommodate all patients and referrals accordingly. Although the wait-list varies day to day, we do look at emergency situations first and foremost.

Does it matter if I am a few minutes late?

Yes. We realize life happens but we would appreciate a phone call so we can put in the patients who have already checked in at the lab in a timely manner.

Is there radiation involved with the ultrasound?

No

Do I need to bring a list of my medications? 

No

Can I take my Medications? 

Yes

Can I eat? 

Yes

What do I need to bring? 

Patients must bring their Provincial Health Care card with them to the clinic, along with government issued photo Identification such as a passport or driver’s license. If English is not your first language please bring an interpreter with you

How long will the test take?

One hour for an echocardiogram
One hour for a Carotid ultrasound
One and a half hours for an echocardiogram and Carotid ultrasound
All times include the patient’s waiting time.

Do I have to pay for anything?

No. NWCD is a private clinic, but all services are covered by Alberta Health Care. The only province not accepted by Alberta Health is Quebec, persons from Quebec must pay Cash for their tests.

Do I wear anything special?

No. You will be asked to undress from the waist up if you are having an echo. A gown will be provided to all female patient’s. For a Carotid a t-shirt or blouse should be worn without a collar.

When will I receive my results?

Your results are sent to your referring physician the next business day.

Can I add a requesting physician?

Yes. At the time of your appointment you can ask our administration staff to add a requesting physician to receive results.