A stress test is actually an exercise test that can tell doctors how hard your heart has to work to pump blood and supply your body with oxygen.
The tests main function is to detect coronary heart disease based on risk factors such as genetic heart conditions, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes.
If you or your doctor has reason to believe that you may be a candidate for heart disease, you should consider taking a stress test.
What is done during a stress test? The patient is brought to an exercise laboratory and their heart rate and blood pressure are first taken at a resting rate.
Then a series of sticky electrodes are attached to the chest, shoulders and hips and are then attached to an EKG machine.
The electrodes are able to measure different portions of the heart to see if there are any abnormalities or blockages.
Starting at a slow pace on the treadmill the patient's heart rate is monitored by the electrodes attached to the machine.
Every 3 minutes or so the pace will be increased and the doctor will be looking at changes in blood pressure, irregular heart beat's and overall condition of the patient.
The test usually lasts for about 9 minutes (3 stages at 3 minutes each) but can last longer if the patient has not yet reached their target heart rate (85% of the maximal target heart rate predicted for the patient's age).
How Safe is it? A stress test is as safe as any normal exercise that you might do on your own.
Running up a flight of stairs or jogging around your neighborhood are as safe as this test.
It will also help to remember that you have a team of doctors administering the test and you're safer in their care than not.
You should take a stress test if...
o You or your family has a history of heart disease o You or anyone in your family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure o You have ever or you currently smoke o You or anyone in your family has been diagnosed with diabetes