Why do I need a cardiac stress test?
A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps your doctor find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more fuel and your heart has to pump more blood. The test can show if there’s a lack of blood supply through the arteries that go to the heart. Taking a stress test also helps your doctor know the kind and level of exercise that’s right for you. The results of your stress test may help your doctor decide if you have heart disease, and if so, how severe it is.

What happens during the stress test?
You’re hooked up to equipment to monitor your heart.

• You walk slowly in place on the treadmill.
• It tilts so you feel like you’re going up a small hill.
• It changes speeds to make you walk faster.
• You may be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple of minutes.
• You can stop the test at any time if you need to.
• After slowing down for a few minutes, you’ll sit or lie down and your heart and blood pressure will be checked.

What is monitored during the cardiac stress test?

• Your heart rate
• Your breathing
• Your blood pressure
• Your electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• How tired you feel

What equipment is used?
The electrocardiography machine will record your heartbeat and heart waves in an electrocardiogram (ECG). Wires, or electrodes, will be hooked up to your chest and arms or shoulders. The wires are connected to the ECG machine.

• Near the end, you may breathe into a mouthpiece that will measure the air you breathe out.

Is there a risk?
There’s very little risk — no more than if you walked fast or jogged up a big hill.

• Medical professionals are on hand in case anything unusual happens during the test.