About one in every four deaths in the United States each year are due to heart disease. Because an in-office stress test can help your cardiologist diagnose heart disease, the team at Cardio Metabolic Institute may include this noninvasive screening as part of your diagnostic testing. Book your stress test at the practice’s Somerset, Monroe Township, or East Brunswick, New Jersey, clinic locations directly through the website. You can also call any location to speak with a team member.
request an appointmentWhy do I need a stress test?
As the name implies, a stress test is used to evaluate your heart’s function under stress. This preventive and diagnostic screening is also known as an “exercise stress test,” since you’re going to have to exercise to make your heart pump harder and faster.
Your cardiologist may recommend a stress test if you have certain symptoms or risk factors (including a family history) of any of the following conditions:
- Coronary artery disease
- Difficulty breathing
- Narrowed arteries
- Heart arrhythmia
- Chest pain
Sometimes, a stress test is recommended as part of your heart care treatment plan, too. For example, if you were previously diagnosed with a heart condition and your doctor started you on treatment, they may conduct periodic stress tests to ensure your treatment plan is effective.
What happens during a stress test?
A stress test is a lot like going to the gym, except that your physician is going to be guiding you through your cardio exercise and monitoring you every step of the way.
Most stress tests are performed on a treadmill, although you may use a stationary bike in some cases (like if you have knee pain).
Your practitioner attaches several sticky probes to your body and attaches them to a monitor. Once you’re hooked up, you start walking (or cycling) slowly. During your stress test, your doctor gradually increases your speed and intensity to make your heart work harder.
You might be asked to breathe into a tube to evaluate your breathing during exercise. After your doctor gathers all of the information they need, they have you walk or cycle at a slow pace to allow your body to cool down.
Your cardiologist at Cardio Metabolic Institute may want to evaluate your results as soon as your stress test is complete, or they can schedule you for a follow up visit. No downtime is necessary after a stress test, so you can return to your regular activities.
If your stress test isn’t clear or if you need further evaluating, your cardiologist could recommend a nuclear stress test. This type of screening is similar, except it involves injecting radioactive dye and using an imaging system to capture pictures of your heart at rest and during exertion.
How do I prepare for a stress test?
Your cardiologist lets you know if you need to do anything special before your stress test. Sometimes, it’s important to avoid certain medications on the morning of your stress test or even fast for a few hours beforehand. You should also bring your asthma inhaler, if applicable.
To ensure you’re comfortable, wear loose-fitting clothes, like you would wear to exercise, as well as supportive gym shoes. The team at Cardio Metabolic Institute ensures you receive all of the information you need about your stress test beforehand, but you can always call the clinic if you have additional questions.
Book your stress test appointment at Cardio Metabolic Institute today. You can conveniently schedule an exam online or you can call any office directly.