CARDIAC STRESS TEST

How Your Heart Works During Activity

How Long Will It Last: About 30 minutes

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How To Prepare: Wear or bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. 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.

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You continue exercising until your heart rate has reached a set target or until you develop symptoms that don't allow you to continue. These signs and symptoms may include:

• Moderate to severe chest pain

• Severe shortness of breath

• Abnormally high or low blood pressure

• An abnormal heart rhythm

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Certain changes in your electrocardiogram

Why We Do A Stress Test

• To diagnose coronary artery disease. 

• Diagnose heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). 

• Guide treatment of heart disorders. If you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition, an exercise stress test can help your doctor find out how well treatment is working. It may also be used to help establish the treatment plan for you by showing how much exercise your heart can handle.

• Your doctor may use a stress test to help determine the timing of cardiac surgery, such as valve replacement. In some people with heart failure, stress test results may help the doctor determine whether you need a heart transplant or other advanced therapies.

• Your doctor may recommend a test with imaging, such as a nuclear stress test or echocardiographic stress test, if an exercise stress test doesn't pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.