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Stress tests are commonly used to assess the heart's response to exertion or stress. They can tell your doctor about heart
rate and blood pressure response, how well the heart pumps, whether or not there is adequate blood supply to the heart during stress, and sometimes,
whether or not exercise causes abnormal rhythms of the heart. There are many kinds of stress tests. Your doctor will select the appropriate test depending
on many factors. Each are described in the section that follows.
All stress tests are administered by technologists,
nurses, and exercise
physiologists specially trained in stress testing. Each
test is supervised by a cardiologist
who reviews the baseline information including what is called
your resting EKG.
A graded exercise test is used to determine the effect of exercise on your heart. The results of this test will help your doctor determine whether or not
you have coronary artery disease (blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your heart). In addition, a stress test demonstrates your exercise capacity,
and shows changes in your heart rhythm due to exercise. This test is also used to monitor your progress if you already have a known heart
condition.
During the test, which is administered by an exercise
physiologist, you will be asked to exercise by either
walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle while
an EKG monitors your heart's activity. The test is called "graded"
because the speed and incline of the treadmill (or resistance
of the stationary bike) will be gradually increased to your
tolerance level.
You will receive instructions for taking a stress test if one is ordered by your doctor. The procedure takes an average of 45 minutes.
Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram is a special type of stress test that combines a graded exercise test with an echocardiogram. It is used to help determine if you
have blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your heart, or to help monitor your progress if you have a known heart condition. The graded exercise
portion of the test monitors the effect exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle has on your heart. The echocardiogram pictures help evaluate how
your heart is functioning with the increased workload.
The test is administered by an exercise physiologist and an echocardiography technologist. It takes about one hour to complete. If your doctor orders a
stress echocardiogram for you, you will receive additional information when the test is scheduled.
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A dobutamine stress echocardiogram also combines a stress test with an echocardiogram to help determine if you haveblockage to any of the arteries that
supply blood to the heart, or to monitor your progress if you already have a known heart condition. Instead of exercise, this stress test uses the medicine
called dobutamine to stimulate heart activity. During this diagnostic procedure, you will be given dobutamine by an IV in your arm. The dobutamine increases
the heart's rate and forcefulness of contraction just as if you were exercising. The echocardiogram part of the test will allow your doctor to evaluate the
effect of exercise on your heart without actual physical activity. This particular kind of stress test may be ordered if you are not able to exercise long
enough to produce reliable results.
The stress dobutamine echocardiogram takes about one hour to
complete. This test is administered by a registered
nurse, technologist,
and exercise physiologist.
If your doctor orders a stress dobutamine echocardiogram for
you, you will receive additional information when the test is
scheduled.
Choose a topic at left and click for more information on Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests.
Copyright ©2005 Michigan Heart & Vascular Institute. All rights reserved.
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