What Can I Expect During My Cardiac Stress Test?

A cardiac stress test is a common and effective procedure that evaluates how well your heart works under stress. If you’re scheduled for a cardiac stress test, it helps to understand what you can expect during your procedure to ease any concerns or worries.

Chinatown Cardiology in New York City performs cardiac stress tests and other diagnostics in-office to provide you with timely and accurate information about your heart health.

Our board-certified cardiologists use the information from a stress test to order additional diagnostic tests or to customize a care plan to treat a heart-related issue.

What’s a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test measures your heart’s performance under physical stress, such as during exercise. The test makes your heart work harder, allowing our team to identify cardiovascular issues, such as coronary artery disease, that are difficult to detect when you’re at rest.

Cardiac stress tests are often useful in the diagnosis of heart-related symptoms such as:

Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Persistent fatigue
Lightheadedness or dizziness

If you have an existing heart issue and take medication, we may recommend routine cardiac stress testing to evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment plan.

How to prepare for a cardiac stress test

Our cardiology specialists provide detailed information to help you prepare for your stress test.

Typically, you shouldn’t eat or drink for about three hours before your test. Also, avoid using tobacco products and caffeine for 24 hours beforehand.

If you take certain medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, your provider may ask you to stop taking them temporarily.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the appointment.

What to expect during a cardiac stress test

During your cardiac stress test at Chinatown Cardiology, you walk on a treadmill to increase your heart rate. Small electrodes that we attach to your chest monitor your heart’s electrical activity while you walk. We also monitor your heart rate and blood pressure throughout.

Typically, you start walking at a slow pace that’s comfortable for you. Gradually, the speed and the incline of the treadmill increase to put more stress on your heart.

If you can’t exercise because of existing health issues or physical limitations, our team can provide a medication that mimics the effects of exercise on your heart.

A stress test takes about 15 minutes, followed by a brief time recovering as your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.

Our team reviews your results to see if additional testing is needed or if you require treatment for a heart-related issue. In most cases, you can resume your routine right away. If your heart isn’t functioning as it should, we provide guidance on next steps.

Call the Chinatown Cardiology office near you today to learn more about the benefits of a cardiac stress test, or request an appointment online.