Stress Testing

What is a stress test?

A stress test is a diagnostic tool that shows how your heart handles an increasingly intense workload. Stress tests use an electrocardiogram to monitor your heart activity while you exercise, or your doctor provides medication to stimulate your heart artificially.   

Why would I need a stress test?

The providers at Upper East Side Cardiology use stress tests to identify the cause of symptoms, such as:

• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting

Stress tests provide valuable information to diagnose conditions such as arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. The team also uses stress tests to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and determine whether additional testing or alternative treatment is needed. 

How should I prepare for a stress test?

You don’t need to do much to prepare for a stress test. You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes, because you will walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. You should avoid eating, drinking, or using tobacco for up to four hours before your test. 

Make sure your provider knows about any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you take regularly. They might ask you to stop taking specific medicine for a few days before your stress test. 

What happens during a stress test?

Before starting your stress test, your provider attaches electrodes to your chest and back. They also fit you with a blood pressure cuff and a device to monitor your blood oxygen levels. 

Your provider takes a base reading of your resting heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. Then, they either inject your medicine, or you begin to walk on the treadmill (or ride the bike). You gradually increase the intensity until you reach the end of the time or your physical limits. 

You might need to breathe into a tube during the test. Depending on your condition, your provider might also take an echocardiogram at various points during your stress test.

When your test is complete, you pause for a few moments and then lie down to let your heart rate return to normal while your provider monitors you. The stress test results help to evaluate your health and create your treatment plan. 

Call Upper East Side Cardiology today or make an appointment online for expert cardiovascular care, including stress tests.