Why Stress Testing?

Why Stress Testing?

A stress test can be used to test for heart disease. Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and/or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to heart muscle). The most commonly performed stress test is the exercise stress test.

What is an Exercise Stress test?

The exercise stress test - also called a stress test, exercise elecrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test, or stress ECG - is used to provide information about how the heart responds to exertion. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while your electrocardiogram heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored.

Why Do I Need a Stress Test?

Your doctor uses the stress test to:
  • Determine if there is adequate blood flow to your heart during increasing levels of activity.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your heart medications to control angina and ischemia.
  • Determine the likelihood of having coronary heart disease and the need for further evaluation.
  • Check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve blood flow within the heart vessels in people with coronary heart disease.
  • Identify abnormal heart rhythms.
  • Help you develop a safe exercise program.
What Are the Types of Stress Tests?

Stress tests come in many forms, including:

Treadmill Stress Test: As long as you can walk and maintain a normal ECG, this is typically the first stress test performed. You walk on a treadmill while being monitored to see how far you walk and if you develop chest pains or changes in your ECG that suggest that your heart is not getting enough blood.

Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test: This test is used for people who are unable to exercise. A drug is given to make the heart respond as though the person were exercising.

Stress Echocardiogram: A graphic outline of the heart's movement. A stress echo can accurately visualize the motion of the heart's walls and pumping action when the heart is stressed; it may reveal a lack of blood flow that isn't always apparent on other heart tests.

Nuclear Stress Test: This test helps to determine which parts of the heart are healthy or unhealthy. A small amount of radioactive substance is injected into the patient. Then the doctor uses a special camera to identify the rays emitted from the substance within the body both at rest and after exercise. This detects areas of the heart with a decreased blood supply.

For more information on stress testing, call 877-646-3300 or visit Medical Device Depot!