Sleepy Eye Medical Center (SEMC) has officially resumed stress testing services, thanks to the generosity of donors who contributed to the 2024 Spirit of Giving Gala. The event raised $187,000 through sponsorships and monetary gifts, allowing SEMC to enhance its cardiac care offerings.
A stress test is a diagnostic procedure that assesses how the heart responds to physical activity. It helps identify potential heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease and irregular heart rhythms, by monitoring the heart’s performance under exertion.
With these funds, SEMC acquired two new ECG machines, a stress test system, enhanced cardiac rehabilitation software, and the necessary technological upgrades to support these tools. A dedicated stress testing area was also created, further strengthening SEMC’s ability to diagnose and monitor heart conditions.
“As health care providers, stress tests can help us diagnose and monitor patients with coronary artery disease. We are excited to offer this service again to our patients—right here, locally, at SEMC,” said Dr. John Pelzel.
The project came full circle in early March when SEMC welcomed its first patients into the newly equipped stress testing space. This milestone reinforces SEMC’s commitment to ensuring that living in a rural location is not a barrier to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare.
A patient’s primary care provider or cardiologist typically orders a stress test. Once an order is received, SEMC staff processes it, prepares or orders any necessary testing, and contacts the patient to schedule an appointment.