

If the test suggests you might have coronary artery disease, you may need a test called a coronary angiogram. If the test shows that your heart is working well, you may not need more tests. Stress test results helps your health care provider plan or change your treatment. When the test is done, you may return to your usual activities unless your provider tells you otherwise. Your care provider watches for problems as your heart rate and breathing recover from the exercise. After a stress testĪfter exercising, you may be asked to stand still for several seconds and then lie down for a while. Your care provider might stop the test if there are concerns about the way your heart is acting during the test. You can stop the test anytime you're too uncomfortable. You might feel flushed or short of breath, just as you would if you were exercising. The medicine increases blood flow to the heart. If you can't exercise during the stress test, a health care provider gives you medicine by IV. You might need to stop sooner if you develop symptoms such as: Don't hang on tightly, as this may affect the results.Įxercise continues until your heart rate reaches a target level. You can use the railing on the treadmill for balance. As the test continues, the exercise gets harder. You may be asked to breathe into a tube during the test to show how well you're able to breathe during exercise.Įxercise may be on a treadmill or stationary bike. This part of a test is called an electrocardiogram, commonly called an ECG.Ī cuff on your arm checks your blood pressure during the test.

Wires connect the patches to a computer, which shows or prints the test results. Body hair may be shaved to help the patches stick. During a stress testĪ health care provider puts sticky patches called electrodes on your chest and sometimes the arms and legs. Your provider usually listens to your heart and lungs to check for any issues that might affect your test results. This helps the provider decide how much you can exercise during the test. Your health care provider usually asks questions about your medical history and how often and how hard you exercise. The medicine creates the effect of exercise on the heart. If you can't exercise, you'll receive medicine through an IV. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. The exercise part takes only around 15 minutes. A health care provider checks the heartbeat while the person walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bike.Ī stress test usually takes about an hour, including the prep time and the time it takes to do the actual test. In an exercise stress test, sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. Wear or bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Tell your health care providers that you use an inhaler. If you use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems, bring it to the test. Ask your health care provider if you can take your medicines before the test. Some medicines might have an effect on stress tests. You may need to stay away from caffeine the day before and the day of the test. You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a time before a stress test.
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Your health care provider can tell you how to prepare for your stress test. Although very rare, it's possible that an exercise stress test could cause a heart attack. Heart attack, also called myocardial infarction.Arrhythmias that occur during an exercise stress test usually go away soon after the exercise stops. Irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmias.The problem will likely go away after the exercise stops. The drop might cause dizziness or fainting. Blood pressure may drop during or right after exercise. Possible complications of an exercise stress test are: Such tests include a nuclear stress test or stress test with an echocardiogram.Ī stress test is generally safe. If an exercise stress test doesn't show the cause of symptoms, your provider may recommend a stress test with imaging. A stress test can help show if surgery, such as a valve replacement or a heart transplant, might be a safe treatment. The test results also help your provider decide on the best treatment for you. If you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition, an exercise stress test can help your provider know if your treatment is working. An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slowly. A heart rhythm problem is called an arrhythmia. Cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries and inflammation usually cause coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries get damaged or diseased. The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart. A health care provider may recommend a stress test to:
