Testing

Testing for both diagnosis and screening purposes is often a useful way to determine and address the next steps for optimal care and treatment. At her concierge practice, Alexis Peraino, MD, INC., in Westlake Village, California, Dr. Peraino offers a variety of testing modalities to help assess your health and diagnose underlying conditions. Call today to schedule yours, or use this website to request information online. 

What is testing?

At her practice, Dr. Peraino uses stress testing to evaluate your heart function during exercise. During the test, Dr. Peraino has you exercise while wearing an electrocardiogram (ECG) — a device that records your heart’s electrical activity. Additionally an echocardiogram, a non-invasive ultrasound used to show how blood flows through the heart and heart valves is also used to help fully evaluate cardiac structure and function. The cardiac stress testing includes a baseline resting echocardiogram to look at the structure of your heart at rest and a peak exercise echocardiogram is completed to assess your cardiac function when you have reached your peak level of exercise

She also offers a wide variety of other testing options, including: 

• Abdominal ultrasounds 
• Carotid ultrasounds
• Breast ultrasounds
• Lower extremity ultrasounds
• Invitae hereditary genetic testing - cancer screening, cardiac screening, and pharmacogenetics - all of which are based on family history and/or clinical risk.  
• Galleri - is a multi-cancer early detection test via blood work.  Ideal for adults 50 or older with an elevated risk of cancer.  This test is used in addition to, and does not replace, other age-appropriate cancer screening tests.  
• Lifelength telomere testing - providing personalized data and information for the assessment of longevity and prevention of disease.  
  
  

Why would I need to undergo testing?

Dr. Peraino may recommend undergoing testing if you have symptoms of cardiac or other problems, including hereditary ailments.

What happens during the testing process?

Cardiac stress testing is painless and noninvasive. You don’t typically need to prepare in advance for cardiac stress testing. You can eat and drink before. Dr. Peraino may ask you to refrain from caffeine or certain medications in advance of your test, as these factors can affect your results. 

When you arrive for your stress test, Dr. Peraino attaches electrodes to your body. The electrodes consist of sticky pads with wires that relay the electrical signals from your heart to the ECG machine.

You then begin walking or cycling at a low effort. Dr. Peraino instructs you to gradually pick up speed until your heart reaches a target level. You then slow down. 

She keeps the electrodes in place until your heart returns to its normal rate. Dr. Peraino uses this recovery information to factor into your heart’s health evaluation. She analyzes the results and forwards them to a cardiolgist before discussing them with you.

Schedule your cardiac stress testing and total health review with Dr. Peraino. Contact the office of Alexis Peraino, MD, INC. to book an appointment, or use this website to reach out online.