Cardiac Stress Test

What is a Cardiac Stress Test? How does it work?

A cardiac stress test determines how well the heart is working under physical stress. Typically the test involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike to monitor the heart’s activity. Exercising makes the heart pump harder and faster, so a cardiac stress test helps reveal issues with blood flow in the heart.

Some reasons a doctor orders a cardiac stress test include:

• Arrhythmias - heart beats too fast, too slow or irregular
• Congenital heart disease - defects in the fetus heart
• Congestive heart failure - heart muscle is weak and can’t pump enough blood to the body
• Coronary artery disease- narrowing of the coronary arteries caused by the buildup of fatty materials called plaque
• Heart valve disease- when heart valves become damaged, they can block flow in the heart

What to expect during a Cardiac Stress Test?

During a cardiac stress test, a technician will take the patient's heart rate and blood pressure then place electrodes – sticky patches – on the chest, legs, and arms. The wires connect to the machine that records the heart's activity. The patient will walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike for about 10 to 15 minutes. As the test goes on, the exercise becomes harder.

Patients are sometimes asked to not eat, drink or smoke before the cardiac stress test takes place.