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Exercise Stress Test
An exercise stress test is a common test that doctors use to diagnose coronary artery disease. The test helps doctors see how the heart performs during exercise. You may also hear exercise stress tests called exercise tolerance tests, stress tests, exercise EKGs, or treadmill tests.
An exercise stress test may also use echocardiography (called a stress echocardiogram) or radioisotope dyes that are injected into the bloodstream (called nuclear stress tests). When these tests are done, doctors can tell more about the structure and blood flow of the heart.
How does it work?
During a stress test, you will wear small metal disks called electrodes. The electrodes are connected to wires called leads, which are connected to a machine with a television monitor that records the electrical activity of your heart (EKG). This screen can also show pictures from a stress echocardiogram and nuclear stress test. By watching this screen, doctors can record your heartbeat while you are exercising.
Sometimes, a patient is too sick to exercise. In these cases, patients are given a drug that has the same effect on the body that exercise does.
What should I expect?
Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the test, especially items that contain caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate, and some over-the-counter pain relievers. Also, be sure to ask your doctor about any medicines you are taking and whether you should stop taking them before the test.
Before the test, doctors will record your blood pressure and pulse. They will also record your heart's electrical activity before you start exercising (called a resting EKG).
During the test, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill. Every 2 or 3 minutes, your doctor will increase the speed and slope of the treadmill which will make you feel like you are walking uphill. Your doctor will look for changes in the electrocardiogram patterns and blood pressure levels, which may tell doctors that your heart is not getting enough oxygen. Other signs of coronary artery disease include chest pain or unusual shortness of breath while you are exercising.
At the end of the test, your doctor will give you a cool-down phase. After the test is over, you may eat, drink, and go back to your normal activities.
