If you’re experiencing signs and symptoms that your heart may not be functioning as it should, schedule an appointment with us at Heart of Dixie Cardiology. If we think there may be issues with the blood flow from your heart, we may recommend a stress test to be done to help us diagnose your condition.
Stress testing is a method used to show how your heart works when you’re being physically active. When you exercise, your heart pumps faster and harder than usual. During a stress test, this helps reveal if there are any problems with the blood flow from your heart.
Stress testing can be done for several reasons. It’s recommended to have stress testing done to diagnose coronary artery disease or heart rhythm problems. It can also be used to guide treatments for heart disorders or to check your heart before a planned surgery.
A stress test measures your heart’s activity while you exercise. This helps us determine the condition of your heart or if you are showing any signs or symptoms of issues relating to your heart.
Your provider can order a variety of different stress tests that are proctored by a medical provider. Stress testing is a very safe way to evaluate for blockage in the arteries of your heart. The different types of stress tests are:
This involves walking uphill on a treadmill to get your heart rate to increase. We watch for changes in your ECG and any symptoms of chest pain or significant trouble breathing.
This test also involves walking on the treadmill but adds an echocardiogram to the testing. We can see how your heart is pumping on an ultrasound before and after you walk on the treadmill by looking for changes.
For this test, we will start an IV and infuse a medication called dobutamine over several minutes to speed your heart rate up. This takes the place of walking on a treadmill. An echocardiogram, which takes ultrasound images of your heart, is done at several points during the test to evaluate your heart’s pumping function.
This test is performed one of two ways: either walking on a treadmill or with a medication called Lexiscan that causes the arteries in your heart to dilate. We also start an IV to inject a small amount of radioactive isotope to evaluate the blood flow in the arteries of your heart. You will sit in a special camera to image your heart.
When you’re scheduled for a stress test that will include walking on the treadmill, be sure that you wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Wear 2-piece undergarments. Do not use lotions on the neck or chest the day of the test. You may be asked to hold some of your medications for the test. When you arrive, you will be hooked up to a 12-lead ECG to monitor your heart while exercising on the treadmill. The treadmill starts slowly but increases in speed and height every 3 minutes. You will be walking uphill. You will need to walk on the treadmill until your heart rate increases to your target rate, which typically takes about 6–9 mins. One of our medical providers will proctor the test and be present to monitor how you are doing. Some stress tests involve getting an echocardiogram or nuclear imaging of your heart. These are done in conjunction with walking on the treadmill.
For chemical stress tests, you will receive an IV to administer the medications that take the place of exercising on the treadmill. A medical provider will monitor you during the administration of these medications. The chemical stress tests are often performed for patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill.
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Fatigue
High or low blood pressure
Abnormal heart rhythm
After a stress test, if your results show that your heart is functioning normally, no further tests or treatments may be necessary. However, your stress test results could indicate signs or symptoms of coronary artery disease or arrhythmia. If this is the case, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may point to complications with your heart, be sure to reach out to us to schedule a stress test. Our stress testing can help us to diagnose the issue at hand so that we can properly treat you. We have locations in St. George, UT; Mesquite, NV; Cedar City, UT; and Kanab, UT. Contact your nearest location today to schedule an appointment.
After a stress test, if your results show that your heart is functioning normally, no further tests or treatments may be necessary. However, your stress test results could indicate signs or symptoms of coronary artery disease or arrhythmia. If this is the case, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may point to complications with your heart, be sure to reach out to us to schedule a stress test. Our stress testing can help us to diagnose the issue at hand so that we can properly treat you. We have locations in St. George, UT; Mesquite, NV; Cedar City, UT; and Kanab, UT. Contact your nearest location today to schedule an appointment.
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is a specialty subset of the Revere Health group. We have over a dozen cardiology providers throughout our locations to give you the specialized heart care that you deserve.
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