Stress Testing
WHAT IS A STRESS TEST?
A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps your doctor find out how well your heart handles its workload. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more fuel and your heart has to pump more blood. The test can show if there’s a lack of blood supply through the arteries that go to the heart. Taking a stress test also helps your doctor know the kind and level of physical activity that’s right for you.
WHY DO PEOPLE NEED STRESS TESTS?
Doctors use exercise stress tests to detect:
√ Irregular heartbeat.
√ Cause of chest pain or difficulty breathing.
√ Allowable intensity of exercise.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A STRESS TEST?
√ Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins or supplements you take. He or she may ask you not to take them before the test. Don’t stop taking them unless the doctor says to.
√ You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for two to four hours before the test. You may drink water.
√ Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and walking shoes with rubber soles. Shorts or sweatpants and jogging or tennis shoes are good choices.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TEST?
√ You’ll be hooked up to equipment to monitor your heart.
√ You'll start walking slowly in place on the treadmill.
√ The incline will increase and gradually change speed.
√ You may be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple of minutes.
You can ask to stop the test at any time. After the test, you’ll gradually decrease speed, then get off the treadmill and sit or lie down. Your heart and blood pressure will be checked.
The electrocardiography machine will record your heartbeat and heart waves in an electrocardiogram (ECG). Wires or electrodes connected to the ECG machine will be hooked up to your chest and arms or shoulders.
Near the end of the test, you may be asked to breathe into a mouthpiece that will measure the air you breathe out.