Stress Test

What is a Stress Test?

During a stress test we will monitor your heart’s response to increasing work. Your heart pumps harder while you exercise, requiring more blood flow and oxygen. By monitoring your heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram we can look for evidence that the blood supply to the heart is reduced.

Why is it ordered?

The most common reason is for evaluation of chest pain, to determine whether the symptoms are due to coronary artery disease. It can also be used to determine a safe level of exercise in a patient with known heart disease. Other indications include monitoring patients with congestive heart failure, heart rhythm abnormalities, and pre-operative cardiovascular risk assessment.

What can I expect the day of my test?

• No food for 8 hours before your test
• Adhesive patches will be placed on your skin to monitor your electrocardiogram.
• Exercise will begin at an easy level and increase gradually
• The exercise portion of the test usually lasts for 3-12 minutes.
• Some patients will have a Nuclear Stress Test or Exercise Stress Echocardiogram as a part of their stress test.
• For patients who need a stress test, but cannot exercise on a treadmill we offer a Regadenoson Nuclear Stress Testing and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography.