For test results to be accurate, there are certain requirements for the day of your appointment as well as the day before, regarding food, drink, exercise, etc., for some tests.

Endothelial function/arterial stiffness: Preparation requires making small modifications to your usual routine the day before and the morning of your test.

The day before, you will need to abstain from alcohol and exercise. Please do not eat or drink anything (other than water) after your evening meal.

The morning of the exam you should skip breakfast and don't consume caffeine or decaf beverages (water is okay). Do not consume tobacco products (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes, etc.).

Finally, some medications and supplements will affect the results of this test and, following consultation with your supervising physician, we may ask you to hold certain medications the night before or the morning of your test. You will receive precise individual instructions five to seven days before your test.

No specific preparation is required for the carotid intimal-medial thickness or ankle brachial blood pressure test.

If you have any questions related to test preparation please contact Earl Schwark, Earl.Schwark@duke.edu or 919-660-6788.