Stress Tests
Did You Know?
In 50% of individuals the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack or sudden death. Early treatment can prevent a heart attack, sudden death, and add years to your life. A stress test is a safe, cost-effective method of defeating heart disease before a serious problem occurs.
Stress tests are tests performed by the doctor to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). The most commonly performed stress test is the exercise stress test.
What Is An Exercise Stress Test?
The exercise stress test - also called a stress test, exercise electrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test or stress ECG - is a test to provide information about how the heart responds to exertion. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while your electrocardiogram, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.
How Do I Know If I Need a Stress Test?
People who require a stress test are those with:
- Family history of heart disease
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Persons who have smoked for many years
What Types of Stress Tests Are There?
There are many different types of stress tests, including:
Dobutamine or Adensoine Stress Test: This stress test is used in people who are unable to exercise. A medication is given to make the heart respond as if the person were exercising. This way the doctor can determine how the heart responds to stress, but no exercise is required.
Nuclear Stress Test: This stress test helps to determine which parts of the heart are healthy and function normally and which are not. A very small and harmless amount of radioactive substances is injected into a vein and taken up by the heart. This produces celar pictures of the heart tissue on a monitor. These pictures are taken both at rest and after exercise. Using this technique, a less than normal amount up take will be seen in those areas of the heart that have a decreased blood supply.
Why Do I Need a Stress Test?
Doctor Tomchik uses the stress test to:
- Determine if there is adequate blood flow to your heart during activity.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of your heart medications to control angina and ischemia.
- Determine the likelihood of having coronary heart disease and the need for further evaluation.
- Check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve blood flow within the heart vessels in people with coronary heart disease.
- Help you develop a safe exercise program.