|
Regular Stress Exercise Test
What is an exercise stress test?
This test is done while walking on a treadmill. During the test, an EKG monitors your hearts activity and your Blood Pressure is also monitored. The purpose for a stress test is to detect any heart problems that may not be visible at rest.
What does the test show?
- How long you were able to exercise for: a healthy heart and being in good physical condition = exercise longer.
- Any symptoms: Being short of breath and tired is a normal response to exercise. If chest pain or discomfort and extreme shortness of breath occurs=heart related.
- Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: both your heart rate and blood pressure will rise during exercise. This is normal. If your heart rate is too slow or too fast, or there is a fall in blood pressure=heart disease.
- EKG: certain changes indicate that your heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen rich blood. An EKG may also show arrhythmias(extra beats) produced by the heart.
A stress test is very useful to rule out any blockages in the coronary arteries.
What happens during the test?
A technichian will prepare your chest with rubbing alcohol and will apply electrodes(stickers) to certain areas of the chest. At that point, a blood pressure cuff will be applied to your arm and the ekg leads will be attached to your chest. You will then be shown how to walk on the treadmill. There are 7 stages -not all stages will be completed. The treadmill will go faster and increase in elevation every three minutes. Your blood pressure is taken every two minutes in each stage. Don't forget to notify the technichian of any chest pain or discomfort that you experience. The test will end when you are too tired to go further or when your target heart rate is achieved. In the recovery stage, you will lay down on a table and relax, allowing your blood pressure and heart rate to return to baseline. The test should last between 45-60 minutes. Test results will be available 5-7 working days.
Special Instructions to prepare for the test:
- If you have HMO insurance, please obtain referral from primary Doctor. Verify the test on the referral is the same as one on the order. Verify that the referral is to MIDAMERICA CARDIOVASCULAR. And bring your referral with you to the test.
- Nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the test.
- No caffeinated or decaffeinated beverages 12 hours prior to the test.
- May have juice or water during those 3 hours.
- Ask ordering doctor if you should hold any medications prior to test.
- Bring a list of all medications the day of the test.
- Wear clothes and shoes comfortable for walking.
- Bring your order from your doctor for the test you are having.
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
What is a stress echo?
This test is a combination of an ultrasound and an exercise treadmill test. This allows the Cardiologist to view the hearts function when it is working hard.
What does the test show?
An echocardiogram/ultrasound is first done at rest and then immediately after exercise. The Cardiologist can compare these images/pictures before and after exercise. With exercise, abnormal heart muscle pumps vigorously whereas, a heart that does not receive enough blood does not pump as it should.
What happens during the test?
This test has three parts: resting echocardiogram pictures, exercise stress test, and resting echocardiogram.
- Resting Echo: you will lie down on a table and the technician will prepare you chest with rubbing alcohol and electrodes. A transducer with gel on it will be applied to the chest area and ultrasound pictures are taken.
- Exercise Test: you will be walking on a treadmill during this portion of the test. The treadmill will increase in speed and elevation every three minutes. During this stage, the technician will be checking your blood pressure and EKG's. You should keep the communication lines open and report any symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, leg pains, or dizziness. Once you reach peak heart rate, you may continue to walk until you become tired or stop.
- After Exercise Echo: once you finish walking, it is important to return to the table quickly and safely so more ultrasound pictures can be taken.
The doctor will then compare the before and after pictures to see how your heart responds to exercise.
How long will it take?
The test usually lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour.
How do I prepare for the test?
- You are to have nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the test.
- No caffeinated or decaffeinated beverages 12 hours prior to the test.
- May have juice or water during those 3 hours.
- Ask your doctor if you should hold any medications prior to test.
- Bring a list of all medications the day of the test.
- Wear clothes and shoes comfortable for walking.
- Bring your order and insurance cards with you for the test. If you have HMO insurance, please bring your referral with you if required. (Failure to do so will result in canceling your test.)
|
