Stress Testing

Some forms of cardiac disease are easily missed when a patient is at rest. A Stress Test is used to measure the health of a patient’s heart under the stress of physical activity—when cardiac abnormalities may be more apparent. Several electrodes (small sticky patches) will be placed on your chest to obtain an electrocardiogram (EKG), a recording of your heart’s electrical activity. During this test, patients mildly exercise on a treadmill, while their blood pressure and pulse are monitored by a specially trained technician. The results of this test can help detect an underlying heart problem and help determine the patient’s fitness level to identify a safe exercise program.

Preparing for the Test:

• Do not eat for 2 hours prior to the test. This will help prevent the possibility of nausea which may accompany vigorous exercise after eating. [If you have diabetes and take medication for it, call for special instructions].
• Avoid any strenuous physical activity on the day of the test. If you are a smoker, don’t smoke for at least 2 hours before the test.
• If you are currently taking any heart medications, check with you doctor. He or she may ask you to stop certain medications a day or two before the test. This can help get more accurate test results.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable walking shoes that will be suitable for exercise. Men usually don’t wear a shirt during the test; women generally wear a loose-fitting blouse or hospital gown.
• Before the test, you’ll be given a brief explanation of the test and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form. Feel free to ask any questions about the procedure.