Why You Need To Take A Stress Test, and Soon
A stress test is also known as an exercise stress test. This test shows the working of your heart during physical activity. Exercise causes the heart to pump blood not only faster but harder. That’s why this test provides the perfect conditions to find out if your heart is healthy or not. These tests usually involve running on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike.
Types of stress tests
- Exercise stress test
The purpose of the test is to find out the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing and how tired they feel throughout different levels of physical activity. The test also involves an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) test. This keeps a record of the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG analyzes the heart rhythm and measures its strength and even the timing of the electrical signals. Wires with electrodes are hooked up to the patient’s chest, arms, legs, and shoulders. This test lasts for no more than 15 minutes.
- Stress test without exercise
In cases where the patient isn’t capable of doing physical activity, the doctor uses a medication that triggers the same process. The same electrodes are attached to their chest, leg, and arms using sticky patches. The medication is given through an intravenous (IV) line. It stimulates the heart and causes effects similar to those exercise causes such as flushing and shortness of breath.
- Exercise stress echocardiogram test
This test computes an image of the heart before and after physical exertion for a good comparison. The main instrument used is a transducer which emits a high-frequency sound wave that forms a picture of the heart when the echo reaches the organ.
- Nuclear stress test
If previous symptoms get worse, a nuclear test is usually prescribed. This will give a more detailed and accurate report of the patient’s heart. The process is almost the same, but a dye is injected into the patient’s arm, which shows the heart and the blood flow on the image. The dye will make it easier to identify where there is a blockage and where the blood does not reach properly. The image will be captured by an x-ray or a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) or cardiac positron emission tomography (PET). Two images will be taken, one after exercising and one when the body is at rest.
What is it used to detect?
- To diagnose CHD
This test is used to find out the severity of CHD. CHD is a disease in which plaque starts to build up in the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart. When plaque starts to deposit in the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. The build of plaque also increases the chances of blood clots forming in the arteries. Blood clots block the blood flow and may lead to angina or a heart attack.
- To diagnose Coronary artery disease
Coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. When these arteries get damaged, which usually happens due to fat deposits containing cholesterol and substances, coronary heart disease develops.
- Treatment of heart disorders
Sometimes, doctors use a stress test to find out how well a treatment is working. It can also be used to prepare a treatment plan for a patient by showing them how much exercise they can handle.
- Deciding on a surgery
Doctors also use this test to determine the type of heart surgery, such as a valve transplant. It can also help determine whether they need a heart transplant or other advanced therapies.
Signs you should have a stress test done
You may be eligible for a stress test if you have multiple of the following symptoms:
1. Reduced blood flow
The most common symptom of heart disease is reduced blood flow. This leads to shortness of breath or chest pain. If you have experienced this daily or from time to time, the best option is to book a doctor’s appointment right away before the situation worsens.
2. Heart attack
After a heart attack, the heart may not be as strong as it was before. Before indulging in any sort of strenuous physical activity, it is good to get a stress test done to show just how strong your heart is. It’ll show the overall strength of your heart, which will determine what sort of physical exercise is permissible for you if you previously had a heart attack. If you have had a coronary angioplasty, a stress test can show how well the results are.
3. Arrhythmia
This is a condition where the problem occurs in a heartbeat. Your heartbeat could be too slow, too quick, or just have an irregular pattern. The electrical impulses that coordinate the heart rhythm don’t function properly, and as a result, an abnormal heartbeat is produced. Its symptoms include a fluttering sensation in the chest or feeling faint. If any of these symptoms apply to you, a stress test should be scheduled soon.
Other than these symptoms, any sort of shortness of breath or irregular feelings in the chest should be checked by a cardiologist as it could mean that there is something serious going on which you may not be aware of. Your doctor might also want to use a stress test for CHD if you have diabetes as these two diseases are related. Diabetes can increase the risks of CHD. This test is not used as a routine test for CHD. It’s mostly used if you already have the symptoms of CHD.
Risks of a stress test
A stress test is usually safe, and any sort of complications is extremely rare. During exercise or right after, the patient’s blood pressure may drop, causing some sort of dizziness or faint. But this goes away after the patient stops exercising. Abnormal heart rhythms can also occur, but it also goes away once the patient stops exercising. The last one, although extremely rare, but possible is a heart attack which could be caused by a stress test.
