| A stress test is one that is undertaken by your | | | | • Predict risk of hazardous condition of |
| doctor in order to find out the way your heart | | | | heart such as heart attack. |
| handles work. Your body works very hard during | | | | • Check the effectiveness of procedures |
| the test. Hence, it needs more amount of oxygen | | | | undertaken to improve coronary artery circulation |
| in order to pump out more blood. | | | | in patients suffering from coronary artery disease. |
| The test is necessary to show whether the blood | | | | After analyzing the results of the exercise stress |
| supply is reduced in the arteries that are | | | | test, the physician will be in a position to |
| responsible to supply the same to the heart. The | | | | recommend more tests including cardiac |
| test also works towards letting the doctors know | | | | catheterization or nuclear stress test. |
| about the type and level of work out that's | | | | Stress test is similar to a screening tool that |
| appropriate for a patient. | | | | scrutinizes the effect of a particular exercise on |
| How the test is done: | | | | your heart. It provides you an idea of how |
| • The person taking the test is hooked | | | | healthy your heart is. The test can be done via |
| up to the monitor for the heart. | | | | using a treadmill or an exercise bike. This is done |
| • He or she walks slowly on a treadmill. | | | | to make the heart of the person working. |
| Thereafter, the speed is increased and the | | | | Thereafter an electro cardiogram (ECG) and blood |
| treadmill is tilted in order to produce an effect | | | | pressure cuff is utilized to measure heart function. |
| similar to going up in a small will. | | | | Sometimes, a stress test is also referred to as |
| • The person may also be asked to | | | | exercise ECG, stress ECG, exercise treadmill or |
| breathe in to a tube for a couple of minutes. | | | | electrocardiography. |
| • One can easily stop the test any time | | | | The person is monitored for about 10-15 minutes |
| one wants. | | | | after exercising or until the heart rate returns to |
| • Once the test is over, the person | | | | normal. |
| needs to sit or lie down in order to get blood | | | | One should take special care not to smoke, eat |
| pressure and heart checked. | | | | drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol for about three |
| Here, one is checked for blood pressure, heart | | | | hours before taking the test. |
| rate breathing and the amount of tiredness felt. | | | | You should wear loose clothing and comfortable |
| People in a healthy physical state are not at risk. | | | | shoes. Inform your doctor about any medication |
| However, medical experts should be present in | | | | that you have taken within 24 hours before the |
| case something wrong happens during the test. | | | | test. |
| An exercise stress test is also recommended to | | | | Stress test is very important to diagnose |
| diagnose coronary artery disease and several | | | | coronary artery disease, popularly referred to as |
| other problems as mentioned below: | | | | CAD. |
| • Determine a risk free level of exercise | | | | This test will also tell you about the kind of work |
| • Diagnose a heart-related cause of | | | | outs that will be good and beneficial for your |
| symptoms including shortness of breath, chest | | | | health. |
| pain or light headedness. | | | | |