A stress or stress exercise test shows how the heart works during physical activity. Exercise makes the heart pump harder and faster. A stress test can determine how well your heart responds when working its hardest.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an irregular heart rhythm.
A stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike while hooked up to an EKG to monitor your heart’s activity. Healthcare providers assess your response to the increased workload by measuring:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Electrical activity in your heart
A stress test can also be used to learn:
- How well your heart pumps blood
- Whether your heart is receiving an adequate supply of blood
- How you perform during physical activity compared with other people your age and sex
- If your symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling like your heart is racing, or dizziness) can be reproduced while performing physical activity
Having a stress test makes it easier to identify and evaluate certain heart issues, such as:
- Issues with your heart muscle and valves
- Electric stability of your heart at rest and during exercise
The stress test results help your healthcare provider plan or change your treatment. If the test shows that your heart is working well, you may not need more tests. If the test suggests you might have coronary artery disease, you may need a coronary angiogram, which helps see blockages in the heart arteries.
If the results are satisfactory, but your symptoms worsen, your healthcare provider might recommend more testing.
To schedule an appointment with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center healthcare provider, please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.