Cardiac Exercise Stress Test - "Stress Test"A cardiac exercise stress test is a test that shows how well your heart handles exercise. Show
What is a cardiac exercise stress test? What is a cardiac exercise stress test?A cardiac exercise stress test shows how well your heart handles exercise. This can take various forms including stress ECG and stress echocardiograms. The image below shows an exercise stress test. Why do I need a cardiac exercise stress test?Your doctor may recommend a cardiac stress test to:
What are the risks of having a cardiac exercise stress test?A cardiac exercise stress test is non-invasive and very safe. You’ll be accompanied by a nurse who will monitor your health and check for any concerns. How do I prepare for an exercise stress test?You can prepare for your cardiac exercise stress test by:
What happens during a cardiac exercise stress test?During your cardiac exercise stress test, you’ll walk on a treadmill or cycle on an exercise bike until you reach your “target heart rate”- which is 85% of the maximum heart rate predicted for your age. Every 3 minutes, the speed, incline and resistance of your treadmill or bike will increase, up to 15 minutes maximum. During the test, one or more medical professionals will monitor your ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and heart rhythm. They will stop the test if:
The test takes less than one hour in total. What happens after a cardiac exercise stress test?After you complete your cardiac exercise stress test, you’ll be monitored until your heart rate returns to its normal resting rate. Your test results will be explained to you, and your doctor may recommend additional tests and treatments. OverviewA stress test, also called an exercise stress test, shows how your heart works during physical activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster, an exercise stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within your heart. A stress test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored. Or you'll receive a drug that mimics the effects of exercise. Your doctor may recommend a stress test if you have signs or symptoms of coronary artery disease or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). A stress test can help:
Why it's doneYour doctor may recommend a stress test to:
If an exercise stress test doesn't pinpoint the cause of your signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend a stress test with imaging, such as a nuclear stress test or stress test with an echocardiogram. More Information
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How you prepareYour doctor will tell you how to prepare for your stress test. Food and medicationsYou may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a period of time before a stress test. You may need to avoid caffeine the day before and the day of the test. Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications before the test. Some medications might interfere with certain stress tests. If you use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems, bring it to the test. Make sure your doctor and the health care team member monitoring your stress test know that you use an inhaler. Clothing and personal itemsWear or bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. What you can expectA stress test usually takes about an hour, including both prep time and the time it takes to do the actual test. The actual exercise test takes only around 15 minutes. You'll usually walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle. If you aren't able to exercise, you'll receive a drug through an IV that mimics the effect of exercise on your heart. Before a stress testYour doctor will ask questions about your medical history and how often and at what level of intensity you exercise. This helps determine the amount of exercise that's appropriate for you during the test. Your doctor will also listen to your heart and lungs for any health problems that might affect your test results. During a stress testA nurse or technician will place sticky patches (electrodes) on your chest, legs and arms. Body hair may be shaved to help them stick. Wires connect the sensors to a computer, which records your heart's electrical activity. A cuff on your arm checks your blood pressure during the test. You may be asked to breathe into a tube during the test to show how well you're able to breathe during exercise. You'll probably exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, starting slowly. As the test continues, the exercise gets more difficult. You can use the railing on the treadmill for balance. Don't hang on tightly, as this may affect the results. You continue exercising until your heart rate has reached a target level or until you have signs and symptoms that don't allow you to continue. These signs and symptoms may include:
If you can't exercise during the stress test, you'll be given a drug through an IV that increases blood flow to your heart. You might feel flushed or short of breath, just as you would if you were exercising. You might get a headache. You and your doctor will discuss your safe limits for exercise. You may stop the test anytime you're too uncomfortable. Your doctor will watch your heart activity and stop the test if there are any concerns. After a stress testAfter you stop exercising, you may be asked to stand still for several seconds and then lie down for a period of time with the monitors in place. Your doctor can watch for any problems as your heart rate and breathing return to normal. When your exercise stress test is complete, you may return to your normal activities unless your doctor tells you otherwise. ResultsIf the information gathered during your exercise stress test shows your heart function to be normal, you may not need any further tests. However, if the results are normal and your symptoms continue to worsen, your doctor might recommend a nuclear stress test or another stress test that includes an echocardiogram before and after exercise or medications to increase blood flow to your heart. These tests are more accurate and provide more information about your heart function, but they are also more expensive. If your stress test results suggest that you might have coronary artery disease or show an arrhythmia, your doctor will use the information to develop a treatment plan. You may need additional tests, such as a coronary angiogram. If you had a stress test to help determine treatment for a heart condition, your doctor will use the results to plan or change your treatment. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. What is the average time on a treadmill for a stress test?A stress test usually takes about an hour, including both prep time and the time it takes to do the actual test. The actual exercise test takes only around 15 minutes. You'll usually walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle.
What is a good score on a stress test?Low risk (score > 5) indicates a 5-year survival of 97%. Intermediate risk (score between 4 and -11) indicates 5-year survival of 90%. High risk (score < -11) indicates 5-year survival of 65%. In high-risk patients, 74% had 3-vessel or left main occlusive coronary disease on angiography.
What happens if you fail a treadmill stress test?What HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE STRESS TEST? The short answer is, nothing happens. It is fairly common for some people to not be able to exercise enough to get their heart to work hard enough. When this happens, it is impossible for us to accurately assess the patients' functional capacity.
What should you not do before a treadmill stress test?Don't stop taking them unless instructed to.. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, stop taking any beta blocker or calcium channel blocker medications the day before and the day of your test. ... . If you use an inhaler for your breathing, bring it with you to the test.. |