What does a stress test consist of and what does it measure?

Answer 1

Stress tests, as mentioned above, can be done with a treadmill or with medications, with imaging or without imaging. The major purpose of a stress test is to assess circulation or blood flow to the heart. But we also get information on exercise capacity, heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias, blood pressure response to exercise, and symptoms. They also give prognostic information.

Answer 2

You 'stress' the heart to determine if the heart and circulatory system are functioning normally. There are several levels of stress tests. Mine--the highest--I think started with a treadmill [to get a baseline], then nuclear/photogenic liquid injected into an IV attached to my wrist, another few minutes on the treadmill, then [laying down for] a photographic scan of my chest area. Some stress tests are just treadmill-only. A stress test can be induced by an injection even without the treadmill, though, for those who are at risk for any exertion. At worst, they are painless, and are NOT given with any more severity than you could comfortably take. You are closely monitored all the way, and you are infinitely better off having it sooner rather than later...or not in time. You will be reminded to report ANY discomfort. The idea is NOT to 'pop an artery' but to be able to see the heart working.

Answer 3

A person taking the test is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart, walks slowly in place on a treadmill. Then the speed is increased for a faster pace and the treadmill is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill. May be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple of minutes. can stop the test at any time if needed. afterwards will sit or lie down to have their heart and blood pressure checked. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram) (ECG or EKG), and how tired you feel are monitored during the test.

Healthy people who take the test are at very little risk. It's about the same as if they walk fast or jog up a big hill. Medical professionals should be present in case something unusual happens during the test.


There is also a Thallium Stress Test - When the patient reaches his or her maximum level of exercise, a small amount of a radioactive substance called thallium is injected into the bloodstream. Then the patient lies down on a special table under a camera ("gamma camera") that can see the thallium and make pictures. The thallium mixes with the blood in the bloodstream and heart's arteries and enters heart muscle cells. If a part of the heart muscle doesn't receive a normal blood supply, less than a normal amount of thallium will be in those heart muscle cells.

In addition, there is a chemical test that may be done for persons who canno walkt for a long enough period of time.

Answer 4

There are two types of stress test, both are to measure changes in your heart rhythm at higher speeds. The most common stress test is the treadmill and while you walk the doctor notes any changes in your heart rhythm that could indicate blocked arteries.

Answer 5

A stress tests consists or testing stress and it measures stress