Cardiac Exercise Stress Test

Cardiac exercise stress testing involves using exercise to monitor your heart health. Physical activity naturally increases the heart rate and makes the heart work harder and faster, so it is an ideal method for seeing how well your heart functions.

Why cardiac stress tests are done

A cardiac stress test can expose an underlying condition affecting your heart health. It is often performed alongside other tests or during a comprehensive consultation to pick up on issues related to blood flow.

Other common reasons you may need a cardiac stress test include:

• Guiding treatment decisions
• Managing an existing heart condition
• Diagnosing conditions such as coronary artery disease or heart rhythm issues
• Assessing the state of your heart health before invasive surgery

Cardiac stress tests are often combined with an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to get a complete picture of your heart health and rule out other concerns.

What to expect during a cardiac stress test

The cardiac stress test is a simple procedure whereby you will walk at an incline while your heart is monitored. You may also progress to the running stage. Therefore, it's best to wear comfortable clothing and avoid eating or drinking anything beforehand.

Before the test, one of our specialists will ask about your medical history and fitness level to determine the best intensity for you. They will then place electrodes on your chest, arms and legs and ask you to step onto the treadmill.

The intensity will be set low at first and increase as the test continues. The electrodes will collect data from your heart and send it to a machine that records your results. The intensity will increase until you show signs that you cannot continue.

The specialist will ask you to lie on the patient bed and continue to record your heart rate and blood pressure as they slowly return to normal. Once complete, we will remove the electrodes and discuss your results.

Understanding cardiac stress test results

Cardiac stress tests can help identify several heart health issues, but we may need further testing before diagnosing your condition. In this case, we will request additional tests and schedule follow-up appointments.