Exercise Stress Testing
An exercise stress test helps your health care professional find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps your health care team know the kind and level of exercise that’s right for you.
Is It Safe?
Stress tests are usually safe and very closely monitored. Medical professionals are present in case something unusual happens during the test and will promptly treat any issues that arise.
A health care professional may recommend an exercise stress test to:
Diagnose coronary artery disease.
Diagnose a possible heart-related cause of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
Determine a safe level of exercise.
Check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve coronary artery blood flow in people with coronary artery disease.
Predict risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as a heart attack.
Depending on the results of the exercise stress test, your health care professional may recommend more tests
