What To Expect During A Cardiac Stress Test: A Step-by-step Guide

By Author: Vheartcare
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If your doctor has recommended a cardiac stress test for you, you may be feeling a little nervous. While the name may sound intimidating, this test is a simple and safe way to find out how your heart works during exercise. This article will walk you through the entire process so you can feel prepared and confident.

Heart health is one of the most important aspects. Therefore, understanding how your heart functions under stress is essential for heart disease prevention and treatment. One of the most effective diagnostic tools that cardiologists use is a cardiac stress test.

You may have a cardiac stress test due to symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue or as part of a routine cardiac evaluation. At Vighnaharta Heart Care and Imaging Centre, our experienced team of the best cardiologists in Dhanori will have your results checked by experienced experts.

What Is a Cardiac Stress Test?

A cardiac stress test, or exercise stress test or treadmill test, is a test that measures how your heart reacts to physical activity. By observing your heart during a cardiac stress test, your doctor can detect ...
... possible issues with blood flow, heart rhythm, or other heart disease symptoms.

This test aids in the diagnosis of conditions like coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmia, or heart valve disorders. It is also employed to check the efficacy of treatments like angioplasty, drugs, or surgery.

The test helps doctors assess:

Heart function: How efficiently the heart circulates blood.

Blood flow: Whether your heart receives adequate blood flow during exercise.

Heart rate and rhythm: To see how your heart rate increases with exercise and how well it recovers afterwards.

A stress test is done in a controlled setting, e.g., a hospital or clinic, where there are medical professionals on hand to ensure your safety.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Cardiac Stress Test

Getting Ready for the Test

Your physician will provide special instructions beforehand. Be sure to:
Clothing and Personal Items:
Wear loose-fitting clothes and shoes for exercise.
Remove jewellery that can interfere with the electrodes or monitoring equipment.

Restrictions

Do not consume caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco for at least 24 hours.
Do not have anything to eat or drink for 2-4 hours before the test.

2. What is the stress test procedure? What Happens During Time of the Test

First Preparation and Initial Measurements
1. Electrode Positioning: Firstly, electrodes are the ones that stick on the arms, legs, and chest, after which the doctor connects the ECG (or EKG) monitor that records the heart's electrical activity with the electrode positions.
2. Baseline Recording: The doctor will get your baseline values of blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG. These tests will be repeated after you exercise to see the change in your heart's condition.

Exercise Phase

Treadmill or Stationary Bike: Most often, you'll walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. The exercise intensity increases slowly as the treadmill speeds up or inclines (or the resistance on the bike increases).
Heart Monitoring: When you're exercising, the doctors will be monitoring your heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG in real time. The point is to observe how your heart behaves with more effort.
Target Heart Rate: Your target is to achieve a target heart rate, which will be different based on your age and level of fitness. Your doctor will set your target. You will be prompted to exercise until you achieve this rate or feel symptoms like fatigue or chest pain.

Symptoms Monitoring

When you exercise, it's important to report any discomfort or unusual symptoms you feel, including:

Chest pain or tightness
Dizziness
Shortness of breath

Lightheadedness or nausea These symptoms will allow your doctor to evaluate the stress your heart is experiencing during the test.

Stop the test

The examination will stop when:

You achieve a heart rate goal.
You have any symptoms that call for interruption.
You are not able to proceed because you are tired or unpleasant.

3. Post-Test: Recovery and Monitoring

After completing the exercise phase:

Cool-Down Period: After you have finished your exercise, you will be asked to decelerate for a few minutes, which will help your heart rate to gradually return to normal. This procedure will reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting.
Post-Test Monitoring: Your heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG will be measured continuously during the recovery period. By doing so, your doctor can find out if your heart is performing well after spending some energy.

4: The Recovery Phase

If the test finishes and all of a sudden there is a stop (either because you have reached your target heart rate or you suffer from symptoms), then you would immediately go into a very short recovery phase. You will still be monitored by the time your heart rate and blood pressure come back to the average.

The recovery phase tells the doctor how well your heart is reacting to exercise.

Why Choose Vighnaharta Heart Care and Imaging Centre?

Vighnaharta Heart Care and Imaging Centre is assured to deliver the best standard of heart care in a patient-friendly ambiance. What makes patients from Pune prefer us?

Latest Equipment: Our facility is completely equipped with cutting-edge cardiac diagnostic gadgets.
Best Faculties: Our well-versed team is inclusive of the best cardiologist in Dhanori, who is well reputed for accurate diagnostics and empathetic care.
Integrated Radiology: Our in-house radiologist not only gives immediate reporting but also works in sync with the cardiology team, thereby ensuring uninterrupted service.
Customised Care: The principle of one-test-fit-all is not our guiding philosophy. Your specific heart health needs are the focus of every test, diagnosis, and treatment plan.