A cardiac stress test, also called a stress echocardiogram (EKG) or exercise stress test, shows how well your heart is working at rest, when you exercise, and as you recover from the effort. Our team at Sunnyvale Cardiology can use this simple test to:
No matter why you’re having a stress test, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous about the process and what it might reveal. Our board-certified cardiologists are here to set your mind at ease, with a closer look at what to expect from your exam.
To get accurate stress test results, it’s important to follow the specific pre-test instructions provided by our team. General guidelines recommend that you:
Our team will tell you which medications you can continue taking, and which you should temporarily pause on testing day (i.e., beta blockers, asthma inhalers). You can take small sips of water with any medication that you may take.
Your exercise stress test is conducted by a clinician (an exercise physiologist) and supervised by your cardiologist. The exercise portion of the test takes about 10-15 minutes, with the entire appointment lasting up to an hour with prep time and recovery.
After reviewing your medical history, we check your vital signs, including your resting heart rate and blood pressure. The blood pressure cuff remains on one of your upper arms, so we can check it at various intervals throughout the testing process.
Next, we attach small sticky patches called electrodes to your chest. The electrodes transmit the electrical activity of your heart to the EKG machine. We may need to shave small areas of chest hair in male patients so the patches will stick; female patients can expect electrode placement to be above and below the bra.
We also place a pulse oximeter on your finger to measure your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation levels.
Exercise stress testing is typically done on a treadmill. If you have balance issues, a stationary bike is also available. Once you’re on the cardio machine, you start walking or pedaling at an easy pace.
Every few minutes, the intensity of your effort will increase — and our team will be monitoring your heart activity as well as how you’re feeling throughout the process.
If you’re on a treadmill, the speed and incline will gradually increase, making it feel like you’re walking uphill at a faster rate. If you’re on a stationary bike, the resistance will increase as though you’re pedaling uphill. The physical activity should feel progressively more intense, but still manageable.
Once you reach peak intensity — or your target heart rate as determined by your age, gender, and fitness level — we capture a final reading of heart function during this “maximal output.” Expect sweating along with increased heart rate and respiration that make it hard to carry a conversation.
If you experience symptoms like leg pain, chest pain, lightheadedness, or severe shortness of breath at any point during your test — or if you just feel like you can’t continue — we can adjust or stop the test as needed. We may also stop the test early if we notice worrisome changes in your EKG or blood pressure readings.
After reaching your target heart rate, you switch to cooldown mode as we dial back your pace and incline or resistance level. We continue monitoring for a few minutes of easy activity while your heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure return to baseline.
Most people can return to their normal routine following an exercise stress test. Depending on your usual level of activity, you may feel mild fatigue or muscle soreness for a few hours.
If you can’t exercise, we can conduct a pharmacological (chemical) stress test. With this test, you remain seated or lying down as you receive medication through an IV that mimics the effects of exercise on your heart — making it work gradually harder for a few minutes as we monitor its function.
Worried about your upcoming stress test? Reach out so we can set your mind at ease. Call 214-466-6943 or message our team at Sunnyvale Cardiology in Sunnyvale, Texas, today.
