Stress Test Specialist

What is a stress test?

A stress test, or an exercise test, demonstrates how efficiently your heart works during physical activity and can detect problems with your heart’s blood flow. Stress tests usually involve you riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill while your specialist monitors your heart’s activity.

Board-certified SWICFT Cardiology providers offer in-house stress echocardiograms, as well as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) nuclear stress tests. 

Stress echocardiograms are imaging procedures that use painless ultrasound technology to create images and assess heart functioning.

What are stress tests used for?

Providers at SWICFT Cardiology may recommend undergoing a stress test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). 

Stress tests allow your doctor to properly treat heart conditions, determine how well current treatments work, and diagnose the severity of heart problems. The tests help SWICFT Cardiology specialists know if it’s safe for you to undergo surgery, such as a heart transplant or valve replacement. 

Is a stress test right for me?

To find out if you’re a candidate for stress tests, SWICFT Cardiology providers ask about your symptoms and medical history. They check your blood pressure, pulse, and vital signs. They also weigh you and complete a physical exam. Your specialist could also order blood tests, imaging procedures, or additional heart-function tests.

How should I prepare for a stress test?

To prepare for a stress test, follow your provider’s instructions. They could ask you to avoid eating and drinking before the test. You also might need to stop taking certain medications. If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to the stress test and wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Prior to undergoing a nuclear stress test, your provider inserts an IV into your arm to inject materials to create clearer images of blood flow to your heart. 

What happens during a stress test?

A stress test usually takes about an hour to complete, which includes prep times. Your provider places sticky patches, called electrodes, on your skin in targeted areas to record your heart’s activity. You also wear a cuff to monitor your blood pressure. 

During a stress echocardiogram, your specialist uses noninvasive ultrasound energy to develop images of your heart during exercise.

You might walk on a treadmill or use a stationary bike for about 15 minutes while breathing into a special device. Plan to exercise until your heart rate reaches a certain level or you can’t continue. If you aren’t able to exercise, your provider can give you IV medications that mimic the effects of exercise.

What should I expect after my test?

Your SWICFT Cardiology provider reviews the results of your stress test or stress echocardiogram and lets you know if you have a heart condition that requires treatment. If so, they discuss treatment options. 

Unless otherwise instructed, you can return to normal activities after a stress test. If you’ve received a radiotracer during a nuclear stress test, drink plenty of water to flush it out of your body.

To find out if you're a candidate for a stress test, schedule an appointment with SWICFT Cardiology by phone or online today.