Your physician may recommend you stop using over-the-counter and prescription drugs before the test since they may interfere with the findings. Also, before the test, you may be asked to refrain from eating, drinking caffeinated beverages, or smoking for a while. You are urged to bring your inhaler to the exam if you use one. Your doctor will ask specific medical and exercise-related questions before stress testing Deerfield Beach to identify the correct quantity and type of exercise. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination, check your vital signs, and listen to your heart and lungs.
Understanding stress tests
A stress test, often known as an exercise or treadmill test, can provide information on how effectively your heart functions during physical activity. Also, it can aid in the diagnosis of certain cardiac diseases. A stress test usually consists of walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while medical instruments monitor your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac rhythm. Some persons, such as those with arthritis, may be unable to do the activities required for an exercise stress test. However, the doctor will provide a medication that causes the heart to pump harder than it would during exercise.
Why stress tests are performed
Your specialist may suggest a stress test to:
- Identify coronary artery disease: The coronary arteries are the primary blood channels that feed your heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Coronary artery disease occurs when these arteries become damaged or sick, mainly due to a buildup of deposits containing cholesterol and other substances.
- Identify heart rhythm issues (arrhythmias): Heart arrhythmias arise when the electrical signals that coordinate your heartbeat do not function properly. Also, an arrhythmia causes the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.
- Guide the therapy of cardiac conditions: If you currently have a cardiac issue, an exercise stress test might help your doctor decide if your current medication is effective. Also, the test findings can assist your doctor in determining the best therapy for you.
- Check your heart before surgery; Your doctor may use a stress test to evaluate when you may safely have surgery, such as valve replacement or a heart transplant.
What occurs after a stress test
To decide the findings, your doctor will review all the information acquired during the test. A stress test can have various outcomes:
- If your heart function appears normal, you may not need more tests.
- If your findings are okay, but you still have symptoms, or they worsen, your specialist may conduct a different type of stress test.
- If your findings are abnormal, your physician can use the stress test data to establish a treatment plan or schedule more tests.
A stress test can reveal how well the heart is operating and assist in the diagnosis of various cardiac problems. It can also indicate how much strain your heart can withstand. This can be useful while preparing for cardiac surgery or a strenuous workout regimen. Typically, the test consists of walking on a treadmill while a doctor observes cardiac activity. Conversely, people with limited mobility may require a specific drug to provide a comparable effect. A stress test can give information about your heart’s health and help guide suggestions for exercise and other types of therapy. Call Life Imaging Fla or book your appointment online to learn more about various stress testing procedures.
