What is a stress test?
A stress test, or exercise stress test, shows your provider how hard your heart works during exercise. The test can detect problems with the way blood flows within your heart.
The New York Specialty team might recommend you undergo a stress test if you experience symptoms of a heart problem or you’re at risk of developing one.
Is a stress test right for me?
Your doctor might suggest you undergo a stress test if you experience irregular heart rhythms or symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) – such as shortness of breath or chest pain. Stress tests can also help your provider determine whether current heart disease treatments are working as they’re designed to.
How should I prepare for a stress test?
Follow your provider’s instructions before undergoing a stress test at New York Specialty Clinics. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the procedure. Your doctor might ask you to avoid eating, drinking, smoking, consuming caffeine, or taking certain medications for a time before the test. If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to your stress test.
What happens during a stress test?
Plan on each stress test taking about an hour, which includes prep time. Your provider asks questions about your medical and exercise history to determine the amount of physical activity that’s most appropriate.
They place a cuff on your arm to monitor blood pressure and electrode patches on your chest, arms, and legs before exercise. You might walk or jog on a treadmill or use a stationary bike.
If you can’t exercise, your provider can give you a medication that increases blood flow to your heart, which mimics the effects of exercise. The electrodes record your heart’s activity.
You begin to exercise slowly and increase the intensity of physical activity as the test progresses. Your doctor might ask you to stop exercising when your heart reaches a target heart rate, or you experience signs of a problem – such as shortness of breath, very high blood pressure, fatigue, or dizziness.
What do my results mean?
After a stress test, you relax for a while before your New York Specialty Clinics specialist removes the electrodes and blood pressure cuff. They review the results with you, and if they are normal, you likely don’t require additional treatment.
However, if your provider suspects a problem, they may recommend additional heart function tests or treatments to lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Treatment might include taking medications, making lifestyle changes, or undergoing a surgical procedure.
To find out if you need a stress test, call the New York Specialty Clinics office or schedule a consultation online today.
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