When you arrive for your stress test, a healthcare professional will begin by explaining the procedure and answering any questions you may have. Then, you’ll be prepared for the test.

• Electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor your heart’s electrical activity.
• A blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your arm for periodic measurements.
• You may be asked to breathe into a tube to analyze your lung function.

The actual test typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. The intensity gradually increases, making your heart work harder and pump faster. Throughout the test, medical staff closely monitor your:

• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) readings
• Any symptoms you experience

The test continues until you reach your target heart rate or experience symptoms that require stopping. After the exercise portion, you’ll have a cool-down period where monitoring continues as your heart rate returns to normal.

Doctors may recommend different types of stress tests depending on your specific health concerns.

Exercise Stress Test: This is the standard test described above, using a treadmill or stationary bike.

Nuclear Stress Test: Your blood is injected with a small amount of a radioactive tracer. Special cameras then capture images of blood flow through your heart at rest and during stress.

Stress Echocardiogram: Ultrasound images of your heart are taken before and immediately after exercise to assess how your heart muscles respond to stress.

Pharmacological Stress Test: For patients unable to exercise, medications simulate the effects of physical exertion on the heart.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET): This comprehensive test measures not only heart function but also lung performance and overall fitness.

Stress MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to create detailed pictures of your heart before and during medication-induced stress.

Each type of stress test provides unique insights into your cardiovascular health, allowing your doctor to make informed decisions about your care.

Stress tests are crucial for:

• Diagnosing coronary artery disease
• Evaluating the effectiveness of cardiac treatments
• Determining safe levels of exercise for cardiac patients
• Assessing risk before major surgeries
• Identifying heart rhythm abnormalities

By detecting potential issues early, stress tests play a vital role in preventing more serious heart problems and guiding appropriate treatments.

Don’t wait to prioritize your heart health. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms, have risk factors for heart disease, or simply want to be proactive about your cardiovascular wellness, we encourage you to reach out. Our CVG cardiologists in Atlanta are here to guide you through every step of your heart health journey, from initial consultations to advanced diagnostic tests like stress tests.

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 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.

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.