Stress test uses and procedure

The stress test is also called a Treadmill test, stress ECG, nuclear stress test, stress echocardiogram, or treadmill test. There are 3 main types of stress tests: nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, & exercise stress tests.

The stress test is used to find heart disorders. During physical activity, the heart pumps more complex and faster. The stress test assesses heart function using the treadmill or stationary bike.

Stress Test

Uses of stress tests?

Most often used for diagnosis of:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack or other serious heart conditions
• Arrhythmia

It also finds out what level of exercise is safe for an individual and how well treatment is working.

Why stress test is needed?

• Angina
• Rapid heartbeat
• Arrhythmia
• Shortness of breath
• Recent heart surgery
• Family history of heart problems.

Procedure

During an exercise stress test:

1. Electrodes are placed on the arms, legs, and chest.
2. Electrodes are attached by wires to an EKG machine. This EKG machine records the electrical activity of the heart.
3. The health care provider then tells you to initially start walking slowly on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. Then after a few minutes, you will be asked to walk or pedal faster with the incline and resistance.
4. The target heart rate is set by the provider, you will be asked to continue walking or riding until you reach a target heart rate.
5. If you feel dizziness or fatigue the test will stop.
6. After the test, you will be monitored for 10-15 minutes. 

Treadmill Test

During a nuclear stress test:

1. The health care provider will ask you to lie down on an examination table.
2. The Healthcare provider will insert radioactive dye through an intravenous (IV) into your arm. This dye helps to view images of the heart clearly.
3. Heart absorb dye between 15-20 minutes. A special camera will inspect or scan the heart.
4. As the nuclear stress test is an imaging test, the camera will create images of the heart when the heart is at rest.
5. You will be hooked up to an EKG machine, then you will be asked to walk on the treadmill or ride a stationary bike.
6. The health care provider will compare two Images of the heart: when the heart is at rest and another white exercising.
7. After the test, you will be monitored for 15-20 minutes or until you feel normal.

During a stress echocardiogram

1. The health care provider will ask you to lie down on an examination table.
2. The health care provider will rub a special gel on a transducer and create moving pictures of the heart.
3. The transducer is held against your chest. This device makes sound waves.
4. After these images, the healthcare provider will ask you to walk on the treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle.
5. Then images of the heart are taken when it is working at its hardest.
6. The Healthcare provider will compare 2 sets of images: A heart at rest & another one when the heart is working.
7. After the test, you will be monitored for 15-20 minutes or until you feel normal.

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