Cardiac Stress Test
Cardiac stress testing is used to evaluate patients for suspected or known coronary artery disease.Cardiac stress tests typically involve two components: stress testing and cardiac imaging.
Stress Test
The stress portion of the test is accomplished with either exercise or medication. During the test, you’ll walk on a treadmill that will steadily increase in speed and incline until you reach your goal heart rate. If you are unable to achieve this heart rate or to walk safely on the treadmill, a medication can be given to simulate a stress on the heart.
Cardiac Imaging
Depending on what your physician ordered, you will either have an echocardiogram or a nuclear scan. If an echocardiogram is used, the images will be obtained during your stress test when your heart rate is at goal. If a nuclear scan is ordered, a nuclear tracer will be injected prior to your stress test and a rest image of your heart is obtained. After your stress test, a stressed image of your heart is obtained for comparison to your heart at rest, helping your doctor identify differences and provide a diagnosis.