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An exercise stress test shows how your heart works during physical activity. Tests using exercise can reveal problems with blood flow within the heart.
A stress test often involves walking or riding a stationary bike, heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing are monitored. You will receive a drug that mimics the effects of exercise.
Your doctor may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms of heart disease or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Tests may also guide treatment decisions, measure effectiveness of treatment or identify severity if already been diagnosed with heart condition.
An exercise stress test shows how your heart works during physical activity. Tests using exercise can reveal problems with blood flow within the heart.
You may be given a stress test.
Diagnose coronary artery disease:
Your coronary arteries provide your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries are damaged by deposits containing cholesterol and other substances (plaques).
Determine heart rhythm issues (arrhythmias):
Heart arrhythmias are caused by dysfunctional electrical impulses, which may result in abnormal heart rhythms.
Train for heart failure:
If you have a heart condition, exercise testing can tell your doctor how well your treatment is working. The test might also be used to establish the type of exercise your heart can handle.
Your doctor may use a stress test to help determine the timing of valve replacement. Patients may receive stress test results that help determine if you need a heart transplant or other advanced therapies.
Tests may include nuclear stress testing or echocardiographic stress testing if an exercise stress test doesn’t pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
RISKS
» Most stress tests are safe, and complications are rare. As with any medical procedure, there is risk of complications.
» Anemia. After a workout, blood pressure may drop, causing dizziness or fainting. Symptoms should subside after you stop exercising.
» Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Most heart arrhythmias go away once the stress test is finished.
» Heart attack (myocardial infarction). It is possible that an exercise stress test could trigger a heart attack.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your stress test.
Food and medications
You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a period of time before a stress test. You may need to avoid caffeine the day before and the day of the test.
Ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications before the test, because they might interfere with certain stress tests.
If you use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems, bring it to the test. Make sure your doctor and the health care team member monitoring your stress test know that you use an inhaler.
Clothing and personal items
Wear or bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. If you’re having a nuclear stress test, don’t apply oil, lotion or cream to your skin that day.
The actual stress test takes around an hour. It includes a prep time and the actual test time. The test itself takes 15 minutes. You might be asked to exercise on a treadmill or use a stationary bicycle. If you cannot exercise, you’ll get a drug that mimics exercise by making your heart pump harder.
Before a stress test
First, the doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and exercise habits. This helps determine how much exercise you can do during the test. Your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs to check for abnormalities.
During a stress test
Electrodes will be placed on your chest, legs and arms. The same areas would need to be shaved. The electrode wires are connected to an electrocardiogram machine, which records your heartbeats. A cuff on your arm measures your blood pressure. You may be asked to breathe in a tube to demonstrate how well you are able to breathe.
If you do not exercise, you will get an IV and have your blood supply increased. You might feel warm, just as you would if you were exercising. You might get a headache.
You will start exercising by walking or on a stationary bike. As the test progresses, the tasks get harder. Use the handrails on the treadmill for balance. Take your time, the results will be clear.
You keep exercising until your heart rate reaches a target or symptoms stop you from exercising. There are signs and symptoms.
» Heavy chest pain.
» Shortness of breath.
» High or low blood pressure.
» Abnormal heart rhythm.
» Dizziness
» Fatigue
» Certain changes in your electrocardiogram
You and your doctor will discuss your safe exercise limits. You can stop the test whenever you are no longer comfortable.
After you stop exercising, you may be asked to stand still and then lie down for a period. Your doctor can watch for abnormalities as your heart rate and breathing return to normal.
Your doctor may direct you to not resume normal activities if your test comes back abnormal.
Results
If the information gathered during your exercise stress test shows your heart function to be normal, you may not need any further tests.
However, if the results are normal and your symptoms continue to worsen, your doctor might recommend a nuclear stress test or another stress test that includes an echocardiogram before and after exercise or medications to increase blood flow to your heart. These tests are more accurate and provide more information about your heart function, but they are also more expensive.
If your stress test results suggest that you might have coronary artery disease or show an arrhythmia, your doctor will use the information to develop a treatment plan. You may need additional tests, such as a coronary angiogram.
If you had a stress test to help determine treatment for a heart condition, your doctor will use the results to plan or change your treatment.
If the heart function is normal in your exercise stress test, you may not need any further tests.
If you are having problems with your legs, your doctor might recommend a nuclear stress test or a stress test that includes an echocardiogram before and after exercise. These tests provide more information about your heart and are also more expensive.
If your stress test results suggest that you have coronary artery disease or arrhythmia, your doctor will develop a treatment plan. You may need additional tests, such as a coronary angiogram.
If you had a stress test, your doctor would use the results to plan or change your treatment.