Cardiac stress testing is a procedure that evaluates how well your heart works during physical activity. It can help diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. It can also monitor the progress of other heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure or recovery from a heart attack.

Here is some information about cardiac stress testing to help you better understand it.

Why Do You Need a Cardiac Stress Test?

Your doctor may recommend a cardiac stress test if you have symptoms of CAD, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat. The test can show if your heart is getting enough blood and oxygen when it needs to work harder, such as during exercise. The test can also help determine the severity of your CAD and the best treatment options for you.

A cardiac stress test may also be done if you have a known heart issue, such as a previous heart attack, heart valve disease, or arrhythmia. The test can show how well your heart is functioning and if your treatment is working. It can also help assess your risk of future cardiac events and guide your lifestyle changes.

How Is a Cardiac Stress Test Done?

There are different types of cardiac stress tests, but they all involve increasing your heart rate and monitoring your heart's response. Here are some stress tests for your heart.

Exercise Stress Tests

The most common type is an exercise stress test, where you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike while hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. The ECG records your heart's electrical activity and shows any changes that may indicate ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle).

Pharmacological Stress Tests

Other types of cardiac stress tests use drugs to stimulate your heart instead of exercise. These are called pharmacological stress tests and are used for people who cannot exercise or have certain conditions that may interfere with the results of an exercise test. The drugs may include dobutamine, which makes your heart beat faster and stronger, or adenosine or dipyridamole, which dilates your coronary arteries and increase blood flow to your heart.

Imaging Stress Tests

Some cardiac stress tests also use imaging techniques to create pictures of your heart before and after the stress. These include nuclear stress tests, which use a radioactive tracer that shows up on a special camera, and echocardiography stress tests, which use sound waves to create images of your heart's structure and function. These tests can provide more information about the extent and location of any blockages or damage in your coronary arteries or heart muscle.

For more information on stress testing, contact a professional near you.