why would a doctor order a stress test?

Answer 1

Stress tests are ordered when one is suspicious for damage to the heart or advanced heart disease. Typically one would have had concern for heart related illness, one also has risk factors significant for heart disease. The initial work up is non conclusive and there is a decision to be made as to have the patient catheterized (Heart Cath) or not. A normal stress test is good, abnormal usually leads to a Heart cath and possible intervention on blocked coronary arteries.

Answer 2

An exercise stress test - sometimes called a treadmill test - helps a doctor 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 doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient. It is usually done 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 circulation in patients with coronary artery disease. Predict risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as a heart attack. To take this test the patient is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart., and 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. The patient may be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple of minutes, but can stop the test at any time, if needed. Afterwards the patient will sit or lie down to have their heart and blood pressure checked.
I add a link with details of the procedure.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
ency/article/003878.htm

Hope this helps
matador 89

Answer 3

This would be done to see how your heart recovers from a controlled stress test, normally walking on a rolling road with the angle increasing slow for about fifteen minutes. This will be monitored by a doctor and you will be wired up to a heart machine. when you finish the walking period you then sit in a chair and they see how long your heart takes to recover it normal rhythm and heart beat.

Answer 4

My husband had a stress test at age 30 due to a strong family history of cardiac disease. They can also be ordered if you have had an episode of unexplained chest pain that either seemed to be cardiac or perhaps non-cardiac (a stress test can rule out one or the other). If you have episodes of near-syncope or lightheadedness, this could be another reason.

Answer 5

to see how well your heart reacts to 'stress' either chemically or exercise induced. they would monitor your heart trhoughout to see if the tracing shows any sign of lack of blood supply to any part of your heart ( and would stop if too much strain showed)

Answer 6

You have symptoms or risk factors.

Answer 7

Maybe he needs a car payment. :)

Answer 8

Be happy he did.