Cardiac stress testing evaluates how the heart performs under increased physical demand. These tests help healthcare providers understand the heart’s function during exertion, revealing problems not apparent at rest. The primary goal is to detect issues like reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, indicating underlying cardiovascular conditions. This assessment provides insights into heart health and helps identify causes of symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
The Exercise Stress Test
An exercise stress test, also known as a treadmill test, evaluates how the heart responds to physical exertion. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest and arms, connecting to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to monitor the heart’s electrical activity. The patient walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bicycle, with intensity gradually increasing. This exercise elevates heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen demand, mimicking the stress the heart experiences daily.
Throughout the test, healthcare professionals monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and changes in the heart’s electrical patterns on the ECG. The test identifies abnormalities in heart rhythm or blood flow that become apparent under stress. Specific ECG changes, such as ST-segment depression, can indicate reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, suggesting conditions like coronary artery disease.
Preparation involves avoiding food, caffeine, and tobacco for several hours before the procedure. Patients should discuss any medications with their doctor, as some may need to be temporarily withheld. Comfortable clothing and athletic shoes are recommended.
The Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram combines physical exertion with ultrasound imaging to visualize the heart’s function in real-time. Patients walk on a treadmill or use a stationary bicycle to elevate their heart rate. Before and immediately after peak exercise, an echocardiogram is performed. This involves using a transducer placed on the chest to create moving images of the heart.
During the stress echocardiogram, healthcare providers monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG changes, while capturing detailed ultrasound images. These images allow direct visualization of the heart muscle’s movement, pumping function, and blood flow through the heart chambers and valves. The test identifies areas of the heart muscle that do not contract well or show new wall motion abnormalities under stress, indicating reduced blood supply due to narrowed arteries.
Preparation for a stress echocardiogram is similar to an exercise stress test, requiring avoidance of food, caffeine, and certain medications for several hours. Patients should wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. If a patient is unable to exercise, medication can simulate the effects of exercise on the heart, allowing for the same detailed imaging assessment.