Also known as the cardiac exercise test, the cardiac stress test is conducted to assess the heart’s reaction to physical activity. Ideally performed on a stationary bike or treadmill, the test helps diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease by making your heart pump faster and harder. The doctor will evaluate your heart’s response to the increased workload by measuring several factors. A cardiac stress test can also help diagnose other heart diseases.

What factors does the cardiac stress test measure?
The primary objective behind this test is to gauge the heart’s response pressure by monitoring the following factors:

Oxygen levels
Blood pressure
Electrical activity in the heart
Heart rate
How hard your heart works compared to others of your sex and age

When should you undergo a cardiac stress test?
Your doctor may suggest a cardiac stress test when you show signs and symptoms related to the below-listed conditions:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Heart valve disease
Congenital heart disease
Coronary artery disease
Congestive heart failure

Stressful jobs are one of the primary heart disease causes. Hence, people engaged in high-risk occupations, such as professional athletes or pilots, are often recommended cardiac stress tests.

Who should undergo a cardiac stress test?
You will need the test if you depict the following symptoms:

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Experiencing shortness of breath
Chest pain or discomfort
An irregular or rapid heartbeat

Healthcare professionals may also order stress tests for people diagnosed with heart disease in the following situations:

They wish to begin exercising
They need non-cardiac surgery, and the doctors have to assess the complication susceptibility
They have a condition that may cause heart disease
They are undergoing treatment, and doctors wish to check how well it is working
They have a high risk of contracting heart disease because of their family or personal history

Further, any condition that causes heart disease risk might also trigger healthcare providers to advise cardiac stress tests at routine intervals.

Types
Depending on your individual needs, your doctor may recommend either of the below-listed cardiac stress tests:

Exercise stress test
As part of this test, the healthcare expert determines your vitals and how tired you feel when engaged in physical activity.

Procedure

The doctor annexes sticky electrodes to the chest to monitor heart activity.
You begin walking slowly as the treadmill moves.
The treadmill speed gradually increases, followed by an incline position
Toward the end, you breathe into a mouthpiece to measure exhaled air
After stopping the treadmill, you will be asked to lie down for blood pressure and other readings

Usually, you will exercise for 10-15 minutes, but you can ask the healthcare expert to halt anytime you feel unwell or experience the below-listed signs:

High blood pressure
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Irregular heartbeat
Fatigue

They may also halt the test if they see any unusual changes in the electrocardiogram device.

Stress test without exercise
If you cannot exercise, your doctor may induce the same response via some prescription therapy. They will annex the electrodes to your chest and administer the treatment via an IV line. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to deliver and stimulate the heart, yielding exercise-like impacts, such as breathlessness or flushing.

Nuclear stress test
Your doctor may advise a nuclear stress test depending on the initial results. It offers a more detailed assessment of your heart’s condition. A tracer dye is administered into your arm to highlight the blood flow and heart on an image, revealing potential blockages. Doctors will employ prescription treatments if you cannot exercise. The imaging test comprises a small degree of radiation and takes two sets of images. One set is after exercise, and the other is when the body is at rest. By comparing these images, doctors can assess the heart’s stressed and normal functions.

Results
The results will help the healthcare expert plan or alter the ongoing treatments. Normal results signify no further examination is required. However, doctors may order a coronary angiogram to detect blockages if they suspect coronary artery disease. They may advise more tests like echocardiograms or nuclear stress tests if your symptoms have aggravated despite OK results.