Cardiac Stress Testing
Evaluate how your heart performs under stress
We offer a range of non-invasive tests to help diagnose and manage heart conditions by assessing how your heart responds during exercise or medication-induced stress.
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Heart & Vascular Diagnostics
Explore the full range of heart and vascular testing and how each test supports your evaluation.
Understanding Cardiac Stress Test
What Cardiac Stress Testing Evaluates
We offer a range of non-invasive, safe and effective tests to help diagnose and manage heart conditions. These tests are used to:
- Assess for coronary artery disease
- Evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle
- Assess heart function under stress
- Monitor heart rhythm, blood pressure, and symptoms during exercise
- Evaluate exercise tolerance and arrhythmias
Treadmill Exercise Testing
Overview
- Monitors heart rhythm, blood pressure, and symptoms during exercise
- Ideal for evaluating exercise tolerance and arrhythmias
- Assesses for coronary artery disease
Purpose
Exercise treadmill is useful in the diagnosis of exercise-induced cardiac ischemia and aids in evaluating therapy. Patients are exercised on an incline treadmill to reach peak tolerance. Vital signs and EKG are closely monitored during this test.
Preparation
Exercise treadmill testing takes 1 hour. Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are closely monitored throughout the exam. Nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the test, except water, which is encouraged. Specific medication instructions/holds will be given prior to the exam. Patients are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Nuclear Stress Test (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging)
Overview
- Assesses for coronary artery disease
- Evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle
- Safe, accurate, and non-invasive
Purpose
This test can detect cardiac muscle damage or conditions that may lead to damage through the injection of a small amount of heart-sensitive radioisotope. The heart is subsequently imaged with a special camera. Images are obtained at rest and after treadmill exercise stress testing. For those patients unable to exercise, medication may be used to simulate exercise by increasing the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure.
Preparation
The test takes approximately two hours. Preparation for the exam requires specific medication instructions/holds to be given prior to the exam. Patients must avoid caffeine and decaf products for 24 hours prior to testing. Nothing orally, except water, 4 hours prior to the test.
Stress Echocardiography
Overview
- Combines ultrasound with exercise or medication
- Assesses heart function under stress
- No radiation exposure
Purpose
Stress Echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound combined with exercise treadmill examination, used to diagnose wall motion abnormalities resulting from ischemic disease. In addition, the viability of damaged heart muscle, valve function, and intracardiac pressures can be evaluated.
If you are unable to exercise, medication may be used to increase heart rate and simulate stress conditions.
Preparation
Testing typically takes 1–2 hours, depending on the method used. Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are monitored throughout the exam.
- Do not eat for 4 hours prior to the test
- Specific medication instructions/holds will be given prior to the exam
- Patients should wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes
