What is stress test

Heart attacks often result from lesser blockages that rupture and form clots. The U. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel that makes recommendations to doctors, urges physicians not to routinely offer exercise stress testing to people without symptoms or strong risk factors for CAD. Physician groups like the American College of Cardiology support this recommendation. The final decision, though, falls on you and a doctor who knows your health profile.

Although the tide has turned against exercise stress testing of otherwise healthy men concerned about their heart risk, guidelines say that a stress test could be "considered" in a man who is older and relatively inactive but embarking on a vigorous new exercise program.

Additional testing is often required to confirm the test result. Your doctor may want to do further testing if you have other risk factors for heart disease that raise concern. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss If your stress test results suggest that you might have coronary artery disease or show an arrhythmia, your doctor will use the information to develop a treatment plan. You may need additional tests, such as a coronary angiogram. If you had a stress test to help determine treatment for a heart condition, your doctor will use the results to plan or change your treatment.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, shows how your heart works during physical activity. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Exercise stress test Open pop-up dialog box Close. Exercise stress test In an exercise stress test, electrodes are taped to your chest to detect your heart's rhythm. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Stress test. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed April 2, Chareonthaitawee P, et al. Jonas DE, et al.

Exercising with AFib has its risks, but it can help you live better when approached the right way. We'll show you how to exercise safely with the…. A thallium stress test is a nuclear imaging test that shows how well blood flows into your heart while you're exercising or at rest, using radioactive…. Learn how it works and when it's used. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Exercise Stress Test.

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. The exercise stress test is also referred to as an exercise test or treadmill test. Why do an exercise stress test? The risks of an exercise stress test. How to prepare for an exercise stress test. How an exercise stress test is performed. Following up after an exercise stress test. Read this next. In rare cases, however, they could trigger adverse effects.

These include a heart attack or changes in heart rhythm that do not disappear after the test. Statistics suggest that this happens in around 1 in 10, cases. For this reason, doctors do not recommend this test unless a person meets certain criteria. If the results are unclear or suggest that damage is present, the doctor may recommend further tests or treatment. This can be helpful when planning for heart surgery or a vigorous exercise program.

The test usually involves walking on a treadmill while a doctor monitors heart activity. However, people with reduced mobility may need to receive a certain medication to produce a similar effect. Read this article in Spanish. Here, learn about the structure of the heart, what each part does, and how it works to support the body. We also explore the electrical impulses and…. Heart disease is a major cause of death.

In this article, learn about the different types, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatment to expect. Heart procedures can help widen blood vessels, restore a regular heartbeat, or replace the heart with a donor organ.

Learn more here. A study investigates treatments for life threatening heart arrhythmias.