What is an exercise stress test?
Physicians use exercise stress tests to evaluate how a patient's heart functions with increased stress on the heart during exercise. The more you exercise the more oxygen your body needs which makes your heart pump faster. The test is performed with the patient walking on a treadmill to exercise the heart. The patient's heart rate is monitored by electrocardiogram and can indicate if there is reduced blood supply in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Exercise stress tests are used to diagnose coronary artery disease, heart-related symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, and to predict risk of heart attack.
How is the test performed?
Patients are asked to refrain from caffeine intake several hours prior to the test. A technician will test the patient's heart rate and blood pressure before the test. Electrocardiogram (EKG) leads will be attached to the chest to monitor heart rate during the stress test. With EKG leads attached to the chest, the patient will begin walking on the treadmill to exercise the heart. The speed and incline of the treadmill will be slowly increased. The patient's heart rate will be monitored by EKG throughout the test. The test lasts about 8-10 minutes and can be stopped at any time if the patient is experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness. At the conclusion of the test, the patient's blood pressure and pulse will be checked again.
Depending on the results of the exercise stress test, the physician may recommend more tests such as a nuclear stress test or cardiac catheterization.