Cardiac Stress Test

If you have any symptoms of heart disease, a cardiac stress test can show how well your heart pumps blood. This test takes place when your heart is working and beating faster, like it does during physical activity. 

At WMCHealth, we use cardiac stress testing to better understand how your heart functions under stress. This means our experts can identify any potential issues that may be keeping your heart from working its best. 

Types of Cardiac Tests We Offer 

At WMCHealth, we offer several types of cardiac stress testing: 

• Exercise treadmill test (ETT): Tracks how your EKG rhythms while you walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds and inclines. 
• Nuclear stress test: Uses a small amount of radioactive material to create detailed heart images before and after physical or simulated stress. 
• Stress echocardiogram: Combines exercise with ultrasound imaging to see how your heart moves and pumps under stress. 

What to Know About Your Cardiac Stress Test 

Here are a few things to know before undergoing your cardiac stress test. 

How to Prepare for a Cardiac Stress Test 

• Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. 
• You will need to avoid eating and drinking for several hours before your test. 
• A provider will call you the evening before your exam to review instructions specific to you. During this call you will be told which of your medications you should and should not take prior to the exam. 
• Do not use lotion or oil on your skin the day of the test. They can make it harder for monitoring electrodes to stay on during the exam.  

What to Expect During the Stress Test  

During your cardiac stress test, your cardiology provider will guide you through each step: 

• The provider will first check your heart rate and blood pressure to make sure it’s safe to start. (If your blood pressure is too high or your heartbeat is off, the doctor may wait or change how the test is done.) 
• You will walk on a treadmill or receive medication that makes your heart work like it’s exercising. 
• The provider will monitor your heart activity with EKG electrodes (small, sticky patches) on your chest. In some tests, they may use imaging to assess blood flow to the heart muscle. 
• The provider will stop the test once you’ve reached a certain heart rate or have symptoms. 
• Your test may require imaging before and after exercise or medication simulation.   
• For some exams you will require an IV insertion to receive an imaging enhancement agent. 

What to Expect Afterwards 

After the test, you’ll rest shortly while the provider checks your heart rate and blood pressure as they return to normal. You can go back to your usual activities the same day, unless your cardiologist gives other instructions. 

Your doctor will review the results and talk with you about what they mean. This may include next steps, like additional tests or changes to your care plan, based on how your heart responded during the test. Our seamless, integrated approach to care means we’ll coordinate any next steps for you.