What is a stress test?
A stress test is an evaluation of how your heart performs when you’re active. Physical activity makes your heart pump harder, pushing blood through your body faster. When your heart is working harder, it can be easier to diagnose a potential heart condition.
During a stress test, you walk on a treadmill for a period of time while your provider at Ahmed Family Practice checks for:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Abnormally high heart rate
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Your results help your provider better assess your overall well-being, evaluate your risk of certain heart conditions, and make recommendations for treatment.
Why do I need a stress test?
Ahmed Family Practice may order a stress test for you if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease or you’re at risk for heart rhythm problems.
Signs you might have coronary artery disease include:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Angina
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Heart attack
If you already have a heart condition, a stress test can help your doctor determine how well treatment is working. Participating in a stress test gives them insight into your heart health and helps them make adjustments to your treatment plan if necessary.
What can I expect when I get a stress test?
Most stress tests at Ahmed Family Practice take about an hour in the office, but you can expect to spend about 15 minutes taking the test itself. Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes when you come in for your test.
Your provider prepares you for the treadmill stress test by attaching sticky electrode pads to your chest, arms, and legs.
The electrodes record electrical signals from your heart as you walk on the treadmill. You may wear a blood pressure cuff on your arm or breathe into a tube to evaluate other elements of your health.
During your stress test, machines record your heart rate and other vitals. You may continue to wear the monitors after you stop walking, and your heart rate returns to its resting rate.
Your doctor reviews your results to determine if you have a heart condition like coronary artery disease. Depending on your results, they work with you to determine the next steps for treatment.
To learn more about how to improve your heart health, book an appointment at Ahmed Family Practice. Call or request an appointment online today.
