For those who’ve had a stress test before, you might recall the basics: electrodes placed on your chest, a blood pressure cuff on your arm, and some form of exercise involved. But as medical technology advances, it’s worth refreshing your knowledge about the procedure and learning about newer methods that might be more suitable for your current health status.

If you’re new to stress tests, don’t worry; they’re generally straightforward and non-invasive. The primary goal is to make your heart work harder than it does at rest, allowing doctors to detect any issues that might not be apparent otherwise.

Here’s what typically happens during a standard exercise stress test:

• You’ll change into comfortable clothing suitable for exercise.
• A technician will place electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart’s electrical activity (EKG).
• You’ll start walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike.
• The intensity will gradually increase, making your heart work harder.
• Throughout the test, your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG will be closely monitored.
• The test continues until you reach your target heart rate or experience symptoms that require stopping.

After the exercise, you’ll have a cool-down period where monitoring continues.

For those familiar with this process, you might be interested to know that there are several other types of stress tests available:

• Nuclear Stress Test: This 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.
• Stress Echocardiogram: In this test, ultrasound images of your heart are taken before and immediately after exercise to assess how your heart muscles respond to stress.
• Pharmacological Stress Test: If you’re unable to exercise, medications can simulate the effects of physical exertion on your heart. This is particularly useful for older patients or those with mobility issues.
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET): This comprehensive test measures not only heart function but also lung performance and overall fitness.
• Stress MRI: This test uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of your heart before and during medication-induced stress.

The importance of regular stress tests cannot be overstated, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease or are experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. These tests can help diagnose:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart rhythm problems
• Heart valve disorders
• The effectiveness of treatments for heart conditions

If you’re due for a stress test or have never had one, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our cardiology team in Atlanta. Whether you’re a returning patient looking to stay on top of your heart health or someone taking the first step toward understanding your cardiovascular well-being, our cardiologists are here to guide you through the process.

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 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.