5 Ways Stress Testing Will Lead to Cardiovascular Health
“Stress tests” are also known as exercise or treadmill tests. They’re used by your doctor to assess your heart’s health while performing a physical activity. They typically involve walking on a treadmill, however, in some cases you may also be asked to ride a stationary bicycle. While you’re performing this physical activity, your doctor will measure your breathing, blood pressure, and hearth rhythm. This will allow your doctor to know of any abnormalities as they occur.
In some cases, patients will not be able to complete an exercise test. Patients with injuries or degenerative conditions such as arthritis may have to do another kind of test. One alternative some doctors use is giving the patient a drug that will simulate the effects of exercise, and then measure how the heart performs under that particular kind of stress.
We recommend stress tests for one of the following reasons.
These reasons help lead to improved cardiovascular health:
- Stress testing helps your doctor advise you as to what kind of exercise plan is best for your heart’s health.
- Your doctor is trying to determine what the root cause of your breathing difficulty or chest pain is.
- You’re being assessed for how well your heart is responding to treatment.
- You’re being tested for narrowed, hardened, or blocked arteries.
- Your doctor is trying to determine your overall heart health.
Stress tests are a great indicator of hearth problems. When your heart is pumping blood more intensely during strenuous exercise, it’s easier for your doctor to see what the blood flow to your heart is like.
Problems like these aren’t always readily apparent, and stress tests create the right environment for us to determine whether or not they’re a problem.
When you have heart problems, your heart may beat irregularly during a stress test. This is called an arrhythmia.
If you’re about to get a stress test, there are a few things you should be prepared to expect. Your doctor will recommend that you do the following to prepare for your stress test:
- Refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking at least 2 hours before your test.
- In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you abstain from caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, or soda.
- You may also be asked to abstain from any medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements.
- If you have a breathing difficulty such as asthma or need an inhaler, you should always bring this to your test. Always ensure your doctor is aware of any medications you’re taking, or any pre-existing medical problems. These may affect the results of things like stress tests.
Stress tests take about an hour and it’s advised that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are good for exercising.
There are several different types of stress tests.
We can determine which stress test you get depending on your individual needs. Here are the different types:
- Exercise tests. This is the most common kind of stress test. Your doctor can find out about your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and how quickly you’re fatigued after exercise with exercise tests. Usually, exercise tests involve electrocardiograms as well. ECGs record your heart’s electrical activity. ECGs will help determine how well your heart is working by clearly displaying how fast your heart is beating. It analyzes your heart’s rhythm.
- Here is exactly what you can expect during an exercise stress test:
- You’re hooked up to an ECG or heart monitor.
- Your doctor will put on a blood pressure cuff.
- You get on the exercise device, such as a bike or treadmill.
- The exercise you do starts slowly.
- The speed of the exercise will gradually increase.
- Your doctor may also increase the incline, position, or weight.
- You may be asked to breathe into a tube.
- You do a “cool down” period, as you would with any other exercise.
- You will be asked to stand still, and then take a few moments to lie down.
- Your vitals are taken by your doctor.
- Here is exactly what you can expect during an exercise stress test:
This particular kind of stress test should take no longer than 15 minutes. It should last at least 8 minutes. We will ask you to stop your stress test if you develop any of the following symptoms: inability to breathe, dizziness, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart beat irregularities, chest pain, or if anything abnormal shows up on your ECG device.
The second kind of stress test is the stress test that doesn’t include exercise.
If you’re unable to do exercise, we may ask you to take a medication that simulates exercise. We will then monitor your heart with an ECG to ensure that your heart is working correctly. Usually, the medication is given with an IV while you’re at South Florida CardioVascular Specialists.
The third kind of stress test is an echocardiogram stress test.
The fourth and final most common stress test is called a “nuclear stress test.”
This is the most serious kind of stress test. Nuclear stress tests give the most detailed possible assessment of your heart’s health.
The process of a nuclear stress test is the same as an exercise or medication-based stress test, but dye is injected into your arm so your blood flow can be more carefully monitored.
This test takes 2 to 5 hours and your body will be imaged several times to compare how your heart is doing throughout the test.
Stress test risks
Stress tests are extremely safe. However, risks can occur. Some risks include: abnormal heart rate, allergic reactions, heart attacks, myocardial infractions, and chest pain.
Results of your stress test:
Stress tests can show the following things about your heart rate:
- What your blood flow is like while resting
- What your blood flow is like while exercising
- Whether or not you have coronary artery disease
- Whether or not you have tissue damage
If your results are abnormal, you may be asked to get additional testing. If your tests are normal, no further testing will be required.
Call us at South Florida CardioVascular Specialists for a free consultation and learn more about the stress test that may be right for you.
