Dr. Zina Hajduczok was named medical director of the Stress Testing Outpatient Lab at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center in Coupeville.

With the installation of new stress-testing equipment, the hospital is expanding its cardiac services and providing more availability for outpatient stress test appointments at the hospital.

This makes a stress test much more convenient for Whidbey Island patients, who would otherwise have to leave the island for this service, according to hospital officials.

There are a variety of reasons a doctor might recommend a stress test, including:

• Help to assess symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations, to determine whether they are coming from the heart

• See if enough blood flows to the heart during activity

• Learn how heart medications are working

• Find out if it’s likely that a patient has coronary heart disease

• Identify abnormal heart rhythms

• See how well heart valves are working

• Help develop safe exercise programs

Hajduczok is a board certified cardiologist and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology with 28 years of experience in cardiology.

She is also currently a hospitalist at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center.

Stress tests are covered by Medicare and Medicaid if ordered by a doctor.

• Call Central Scheduling Services for a stress testing appointment at 360-678-7607 or visit whid beyhealth.org to find out more.