A stress test is a valuable diagnostic tool that allows doctors to evaluate how well your heart functions during physical activity. The most common type of stress test is the exercise stress test, which usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. As you begin the test, you’ll start at a slow, easy pace. Gradually, the intensity will increase, making your heart work harder and pump faster. Throughout the test, medical staff closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, and any symptoms you experience. The test continues until you reach your target heart rate or experience symptoms that require stopping, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. After the exercise portion, you’ll have a cool-down period where monitoring continues as your heart rate returns to normal.

A nuclear stress test involves injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer into your bloodstream. Special cameras then capture images of blood flow through your heart at rest and during stress, allowing doctors to identify areas of reduced blood flow. Another variation is the stress echocardiogram, where ultrasound images of your heart are taken before and immediately after exercise to assess how it responds to stress.

For patients unable to exercise due to physical limitations or certain medical conditions, doctors may opt for a pharmacological stress test. In this type of test, medications are used to simulate the effects of physical exertion on the heart. These drugs can make the heart beat faster and harder, mimicking the stress of exercise. Throughout the procedure, the medical team monitors the patient’s heart activity and blood flow, just as they would during an exercise stress test.

The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is a comprehensive test that measures not only heart function but also lung performance and overall fitness. This test can provide valuable information about your body’s response to exercise and can help diagnose conditions that affect both the heart and lungs. Another advanced option is the stress MRI, where magnetic resonance imaging is used to create detailed pictures of your heart before and during medication-induced stress. This test can provide highly detailed images of heart structure and function.

Your doctor will carefully analyze the ECG recordings, looking for any irregularities in your heart’s electrical activity that may indicate problems with blood flow to the heart muscle. They’ll examine how your heart rate and blood pressure responded to exercise, checking if the increases were appropriate and if there were any concerning drops or spikes.

During the test, if you had any symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, your doctor will also examine them and see how they relate to changes in your ECG or heart function. They’ll compare all of this information to your resting ECG and your medical history.

Trust your heart health to CVG’s twenty board-certified cardiologists. Equipped with leading-edge diagnostic tools, a wealth of experience, and compassion, our cardiac team provides the highest level of personalized care.

You can review our cardiologists’ pages and explore their exceptional credentials and dedication to providing quality care. You can trust that our doctors genuinely care about you and will do everything they can to ensure you have the best quality of life possible.

To learn more, please call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.

The safety of an EP study largely depends on the skill and experience of the healthcare team performing the procedure. Electrophysiologists undergo extensive training to specialize in heart rhythm disorders and are well-versed in the intricacies of cardiac electrical systems. Their expertise, combined with the supporting staff, ensures that EP studies are conducted with the utmost care and precision. This specialized knowledge is crucial in minimizing risks and handling unexpected situations during the procedure.

While EP studies are generally safe, it’s important to acknowledge that, like any medical procedure, they carry some risks. These may include bleeding, infection, or damage to blood vessels or heart tissue. However, serious complications are rare, and the medical team is well-prepared to manage any issues that may occur. Before the procedure, patients undergo a thorough evaluation to assess their overall health and identify any factors that might increase their risk. This personalized approach allows for appropriate precautions to be taken, further enhancing the procedure’s safety.

Trust your heart health to CVG’s twenty board-certified cardiologists. Equipped with leading-edge diagnostic tools and a wealth of experience and compassion, our cardiac team provides the highest level of personalized care.

You can review our cardiologists’ pages and explore their exceptional credentials and dedication to providing quality care. You can trust that our doctors genuinely care about you and will do everything in their power to ensure that you have the best quality of life possible.

To learn more, please call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.