Heart Stress Tests
The doctor says I need a stress test. Why, and what’s it all about? You may have heard that a stress test is necessary to detect heart issues. That’s because some heart rhythm issues only occur when the heart works harder. If you have exhibited arrhythmia or signs of coronary artery disease, your doctor will be able to diagnose your condition better by watching your heart pump blood during exercise. Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know, and don’t worry; if there is an issue with using a treadmill, chemicals can be used to simulate the heart pumping like during exercise.
Ultrasound and imaging are also used to monitor and observe the heart. All these tests will give your doctor and you a good idea about blood flow to your heart.
We understand that you could be worried about having to undergo tests. Please know that these tests are safe. They provide your doctor with the information they need to diagnose and treat AFib symptoms you may be experiencing. With this data, your doctor can initiate or update your AFib treatment so that you can experience fewer symptoms.
While you may be apprehensive about these tests, please know they are relatively short and non-to minimally invasive. They provide a lot of information in a short amount of time, which will help your doctors diagnose and treat you. Your doctor will get the necessary data to evaluate your condition in only a few hours (usually no more than three).
Choosing CVG for your stress tests is a great choice because we’re here to diagnose illness and help you live your best life for years to come. Your time spent taking your tests will help you in the short term and over time, to enjoy good health.
At CVG, you can be assured that our Board-Certified doctors, combined with the latest technology, offer you the best treatment solutions. Plus, our ten locations allow you to visit the CVG office that’s convenient for you. You’ll also benefit from quick results, usually available in a day or two after you complete your tests.
Stress tests help observe blood flow conditions to test for Atrial Fibrillation.
Stress tests are commonly used to test for Atrial Fibrillation. Stress tests demonstrate to doctors whether or not the blood flow to your heart is normal during exercise. Most stress tests are conducted while the patient uses a treadmill. The most common methods of stress tests are basic treadmill tests, echo stress tests, and nuclear stress tests.
What to Expect During your Visit
You may be asked to perform a basic treadmill test, in which you will walk on a treadmill to stress your heart. The treadmill will get faster and steeper every 3 minutes, and your nurse or doctor will watch your EKG and blood pressure and ask you about any symptoms you are feeling.
An echo stress test will be conducted while you are resting. After you rest, you will walk on a treadmill to stress your heart, and another echo test will be performed to determine how well your heart pumps blood.
Your doctor may suggest a nuclear stress test, in which you walk on a treadmill to stress your heart, followed by a doctor giving you medicine through a vein in your arm to show blood flow to your heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
A stress test, also known as an exercise stress test, is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate how well your heart functions during physical activity. A nuclear stress test, a specific type of stress test, is ordered to identify blocked arteries in the heart by assessing blood flow to the heart muscle. This non-invasive procedure involves injecting a small amount of a radioactive substance to create detailed images of the heart’s blood flow.
You need to arrive fasting and wearing comfortable clothing. Part of the heart is located behind the stomach, so food in the stomach can result in poor-quality images and potentially inaccurate results. You should avoid all liquids except for a minimal amount of water.
You should continue taking your regular medications on the day of the test, with two exceptions:
If you are fasting, please refrain from taking your diabetic medications. However, ensure you bring them with you to the test, as there will be a designated time for you to eat, and you will need to take your diabetic medication then.
To ensure accurate results, it is necessary to elevate your heart rate during a treadmill stress test. Therefore, you are advised to skip your beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, atenolol, or Coreg) the evening before and the morning of the test.
In a stress test, the doctor compares your symptoms, ECG, and images of your heart at rest and after exercise. The heart can be exercised using a treadmill, or if you are unable to use a treadmill, chemicals can be used to simulate exercise. You should expect to be present for 2–3 hours. You will need to lie flat, preferably with your arms above your head, for a set of resting images and a second set of images after stress.
Within a day or 2 after completing the test, you should be contacted with your results. If you are not, please call for your results.
An EKG is a snapshot of the electrical patterns in your heart that make it beat. It is a routine test used in any cardiac evaluation. You can expect to have one during an initial assessment and whenever your symptoms change. It is also used to monitor the effects of certain medications. A medical assistant or nurse in the office administers the test. The EKG helps us identify irregularities in the electrical rhythm of your heart and provides clues about structural abnormalities of the heart.
We perform several types of stress tests. Some involve walking on a treadmill, while others require injecting medicine into a vein. During the stress test, we examine your heart using techniques such as ECGs, ultrasounds, or nuclear imaging.
Different types of stress tests vary in duration and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over 3 hours.
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes to walk and run in.