Cardiac Stress Test

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test is also called an exercise test or a treadmill test. This test may help your caregiver see how well your heart works during exercise. Exercise is a form of body stress. The longer you exercise, the harder your body needs to work. Your heart must work double time to pump more blood to supply the body with more oxygen. A cardiac stress test is usually done to check for blockages in the arteries of your heart. It will also tell caregivers the type and level of exercise that will be best for you.

Why do I need a cardiac stress test?

Your caregiver may ask you to have a cardiac stress test to:

• Check how your heart works during exercise after having a heart attack or heart surgery.
  
  
• Check if you are at risk of having a heart attack.
  
  
• Check if you have heart disease or arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).
  
  
• Find the cause of heart-related symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
  
  
• Set a safe level for an exercise program that you may need.

When do I need to have a cardiac stress test done?

Your caregiver may ask you to have a cardiac stress test done as soon as possible. Heart-related symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, felt more often may make the test urgent.

How is a cardiac stress test done?

A cardiac stress test can be done in a clinic, a caregiver's office, or in a hospital. You are asked to exercise using a stationary bicycle or a treadmill. A treadmill is a machine on which you can walk or jog in place. While you are walking or jogging, the activity of your heart is being watched on a monitor. An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be done several times during the stress test. Your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate will also be checked during the test.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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