Cardiac Diagnostic Services
Stress Test
Monitoring heart rate, blood pressure and EKG waveforms as the patient walks on a treadmill. A multiple stage test increases the workload at regular intervals until the patient reaches an endpoint, such as target heart rate or the onset of chest pain or fatigue. Pharmacological agents may be used in place of exercise. A resting electrocardiogram is performed and a hyperventilation EKG prior to the exercise portion.
How it helps
- Helps diagnose the cause of chest pain or other possible cardiac pain
- Determines the functional capacity of the heart after surgery or myocardial infarction
- Screens for asymptomatic coronary artery disease
- Helps set limits for an exercise program
- Identifies cardiac arrhythmia that develops during physical exercise
- Evaluates the effectiveness of antiarrhythmics or antianginal therapy
Special Patient Information
Patient is to be NPO (nothing to eat or drink) midnight before the test. No smoking after midnight. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Bring a list of current medications.
Other Information
Pharmacological stress testing includes adenosine stress tests, persantine stress tests and dobutamine stress tests.
Nuclear imaging of the blood supply to the heart muscle may be performed to provide a more accurate test.
Stress echo combines ultrasound imaging with stress testing to aid in the diagnosis of coronary artery