What is an Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress test is a test to check how your heart works during exercise. You will need to walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike for this test.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will record your heartbeat when you are at rest and when you are exercising. You may have an ultrasound or nuclear test after the exercise test. The test is done to check for coronary artery disease (CAD). It is also done to:
- See how well you can exercise.
- Watch for high blood pressure during exercise.
- Test how well you can exercise after treatment.
- Check the blood flow to your arms and legs.
If your test result is not normal, more testing may be needed.
What happens before the procedure?
- Follow
instructions from your doctor about what you cannot eat or drink.
- Do not have any drinks or foods that have caffeine in them for 24 hours before the test, or as told by your doctor. This includes coffee, tea (even decaf tea), sodas, chocolate, and cocoa.
- Ask
your doctor about changing or stopping your normal medicines. This is
important if you:
- Take diabetes medicines.
- Take beta-blocker medicines.
- Wear a nitroglycerin patch.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to the test.
- Do notput lotions, powders, creams, or oils on your chest before the test.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Do notuse any products that have nicotine or tobacco in them, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Stop using them at least 4 hours before the test. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
What happens during the procedure?
- Patches (electrodes) will be put on your chest.
- Wires will be connected to the patches. The wires will send signals to a machine to record your heartbeat.
- Your heart rate will be watched while you are resting and while you are exercising. Your blood pressure will also be watched during the test.
- You will walk on a treadmill or use a stationary bike. If you cannot use these, you may be asked to turn a crank with your hands.
- The activity will get harder and will raise your heart rate.
- You may be asked to breathe into a tube a few times during the test. This measures the gases that you breathe out.
- You will be asked how you are feeling throughout the test.
- You
will exercise until your heart reaches a target heart rate. You will stop
early if:
- You feel dizzy.
- You have chest pain.
- You are out of breath.
- Your blood pressure is too high or too low.
- You have an irregular heartbeat.
- You have pain or aching in your arms or legs.
The procedure may vary among doctors and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be watched after the test.
- You may return to your normal diet and activities as told by your doctor.
- It is up to you to get the results of your test. Ask your doctor, or the department that is doing the test, when your results will be ready.
Summary
- An exercise stress test is a test to check how your heart works during exercise.
- This test is done to check for coronary artery disease.
- Your heart rate will be watched while you are resting and while you are exercising.
- Follow instructions from your doctor about what you cannot eat or drink before the test.
