Did your doctor recently ask you to take a stress test that is freaking you out? No worries! This article will share all the little details related to stress tests, including how to prepare for a stress test so you don’t fear your next appointment with the doctor.
Find everything in this article, including types of stress tests to how to prepare for these tests. Also, look out for ways to keep the heart stress-free and healthy.
Table of Contents
What is a stress test?
First, addressing the main point of the discussion , what is a stress test? A stress test is a medical examination that reveals how your heart performs during heavy exercises or other physical activities. It is also known as an exercise test or a treadmill test. This test is generally very safe and effective in recording the functioning of the heart under physical stress.
The cardiac stress test is usually not a part of a routine health check package, but a doctor might recommend it if they notice symptoms related to heart disease based on the patient’s overall health profile.
Types of stress tests
- Exercise stress test
- Stress echocardiograms
- Nuclear stress test
- MRI stress test
There are many types of ECG stress tests available today, working on very different principles to cater to a broader range of patients that might be suffering from cardiac disorders. The most popular stress test requires physical strength and activity, but there are many other stress tests for patients who are not physically active and suffering from health issues such as joint pain, muscle contraction, spinal deformities, and other similar conditions.
Exercise stress test
This test is also known as exercise treadmill testing or simply treadmill test and is the most common type of stress test.
The person taking the test uses an electrocardiogram that monitors the heart rate and breathing activity. This test begins with the person walking at a lower speed on the treadmill. The speed of the treadmill is then gradually increased with time. The physician might also tilt the treadmill to make the test more challenging. Sometimes the patient has to breathe in a tube to get more accurate breathing activity.
The physician can stop the test at any moment, and the person is then seated and asked to relax. This test is also performed under the supervision of a doctor to cater to any emergency situation.
This test helps record the heart rate, breathing, and tiredness a person feels after physical activity.
How long does an exercise stress test take?
This exercise test takes about an hour, including the preparation time and the actual test. The exercise part of the test has a brief duration of about 15 to 30 minutes.
Nuclear stress test
This stress test shows the movement of the blood throughout the body. A physician injects a radiotracer into the person’s body and traces it through a machine. The radiotracer decays and produces gamma rays that a special camera captures and creates images of the heart on the monitor. It helps detect heart diseases and abnormalities in the veins and arteries.
How long does a nuclear stress test take?
Nuclear stress tests are more time-consuming as the person has to wait for the radiotracer to start producing its effect on the body. It may take about 2 to 4 hours to complete the procedure, including the preparation time.
MRI stress test
Cardiac MRI stress test helps monitor the blood activity of people whose heart rates remain unaffected by exercise.
To perform this test, a person is given a small dose of medication that dilates the person’s arteries, increasing the blood flow. It increases the heart rate, allowing the physician to note the function of the heart rate in case of increased activity.
An MRI dye is injected into the body, which is then captured by an MRI scanner as it passes through different arteries of the body. Then, an MRI scanner produces images of the heart that helps in indicating various heart diseases.
How long does an MRI stress test take?
MRI stress tests can take about 1 to 2 hours, including 45 mins examination time.
Pharmacological stress test:
If patients find it difficult to walk or run for prolonged periods, the doctor recommends this test.
The arteries are dilated using medicines, including Dobutamine and vasodilators, to produce stress for this test.
This test uses sound waves to produce imaging of the heart that might display any blockage in the arteries (if present). It helps the physician to examine the shape, size, and function of the heart and its different parts to identify abnormalities.
During the test, a person might feel lightheaded, breathless, dizzy, or maybe have a headache. The person should immediately inform the physician about these symptoms so they can treat them accordingly.
How long does a pharmacological stress test take?
This test can take about three to four hours due to the waiting time between each procedure. It helps produce clear images of the heart.
You can visit this stress test website here to get more details about the test.
Why does a person take a stress test?
While a stress test is unnecessary for routine health check-ups, a doctor might recommend it according to a person’s health record and symptoms. They might ask for the test if they notice symptoms related to coronary artery disease or irregular heartbeat. The doctors might also recommend this test for checking the heart before surgery.
This test is also very beneficial in detecting various heart diseases at their early stages.
Some people also take this test to determine their safe levels of exercise or to check the effectiveness of their recent heart procedure.
Symptoms that indicate that a person needs a stress test
While everyone does not need to take a stress test, if a person has the following symptoms, they a doctor might recommend them one:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Recent heart attack or heart procedure
- Fainted heartbeat during exercise or symptoms of arrhythmia
- Suffer from health conditions that affect the heart
- Before undergoing a heart procedure
Chest pain
One of the causes of chest pain is due to less blood reaching the heart, reducing the amount of oxygen available for the heart muscles. It is a common symptom that signifies various heart diseases or artery blockages.
Shortness of breath
Feeling breathless while physical activities can also be a sign of heart disease as less oxygen tends to reach the heart. It increases the breathing rate making the person feel short of breath.
Recent heart attack or heart procedure
A recent heart attack is a sign that a person might need to take a stress test. Low activity can lead to heart diseases that can cause heart attacks.
Fainted heartbeat during exercise or symptoms of arrhythmia
It is recommended to take a stress test if a person notices a faint heartbeat during exercise. A person can also consider taking this test if they suffer from an arrhythmia that leads to an abnormal heartbeat.
Suffer from health conditions that affect the heart
A person suffering from diseases or health conditions like obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes that have an adverse effect on the heart should also consider taking an exercise test.
Before undergoing a heart procedure
A doctor might recommend a patient take a stress test before performing surgery. It can ensure whether the person can undergo a health procedure safely or not.
People who don’t need a stress test
Everyone doesn’t need to take the stress test. A person might never undergo a stress test if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Physically fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Have no record of heart diseases
- No symptoms of coronary diseases
- Age factor
Physically fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
People who exercise or walk regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle are at lower risk of heart disease and, therefore, would not need to undergo a stress test.
Have no record of heart disease
Many heart diseases like cardiomyopathy and heart valve disease are hereditary. A person who does not have a family history of heart disease might not take a stress test as they are at relatively low risk.
No symptoms of coronary diseases
People who do not exhibit any symptoms of coronary disease are relatively at a lower risk of suffering from heart conditions. These people might not have to take a stress test.
Age factor
Older people with underlying health conditions might need to take stress tests as compared to younger people, as heart activity is affected by age.
How to prepare for a stress test?
If a doctor has prescribed a person to take a stress test in the coming weeks, here is how they can prepare to get negative results:
- Meditate and relax
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid smoking and skip other nicotine substances
- Dress comfortably
- Take the doctor’s guidance on daily medicines
- Do not eat anything before the test
- Be well-hydrated
Meditate and relax
It is common to feel stressed or anxious before taking the test, so it is better to practice yoga and meditate to feel calm and relaxed. People can also get busy doing activities that they enjoy to distract themselves from the test.
Avoid caffeine
A person should skip caffeine before taking the exercise stress test. The caffeine might interfere with the medicine given while taking the exercise test.
Avoid smoking and skip other nicotine substances
The patient should avoid smoking or any type of nicotine substance like vaping at least 24 hours before the test. The chance of positive stress test results increases by 4 to 5 times more for chronic smokers than non-smokers. Avoid smoking at least 4 hours before taking the stress test.
Dress comfortably
It is recommended to wear light and loose dresses to feel comfortable during the exercise. The person might wear a hospital gown.
Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. A person should wear sports shoes or sneakers to be able to exercise comfortably.
Also, avoid applying lotions and moisturizers on the test day.
Take the doctor’s recommendation on daily medicines
A person needs to consult the doctors regarding their routine medicines, including insulin, if diabetic. Medicines like beta-blockers or calcium channel blocker medications might interfere with the test result.
Do not eat anything right before the test
The doctor might recommend the patient fast for at least four to six hours before taking an ECG stress test. Taking this test on an empty stomach can prevent medical emergencies and breathing problems during the procedure. Taking an exercise test on a full stomach might negate the results.
Be well hydrated
It is recommended to drink water before taking the stress test. Dehydration can cause anxiety and make a person feel more uncomfortable during the test. Staying hydrated will help the person be more calm.
What happens if the stress test result is not as expected?
While the person’s stress test might reveal irregular results due to age or other factors, it signifies that more tests are required to get to the bottom line of the cause. If the patient’s report is not normal, the doctors might recommend one of the following methods to proceed with:
- Further tests
- Prescribed medication
- Cardiac rehabilitation stress test
Further tests
A doctor might prescribe further tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or coronary computed tomography angiogram to get a clear view of the stress test results.
Prescribed medication
The doctor might prescribe medicine to cure the diagnosed heart condition. The person would have to take the medicines according to the schedule to heal the underlying cause of the disease.
Cardiac rehabilitation stress test
A doctor might recommend the patient to join a cardiac rehabilitation program. It is a set of exercises medically supervised to strengthen heart muscles, allowing the patient to be more physically active.
Rehabilitation exercises might not be exhausting, for example, just walking in the corridors and hallways, or they can get challenging with time, like riding bikes to improve stamina.
In addition to exercise training, cardiac rehabilitation includes counseling, awareness, and cardiac risk factor changes that positively affect a person’s overall lifestyle.
This rehabilitation program occurs in phases and starts as early as the person admits to the hospital. Later, the patient books appointments and makes regular visits, which leads to the last phase, when the patient can follow the practices at home. This program can take about three to six months, which depends on the doctor’s advice.
How to keep the heart healthy?
The heart deserves all the care, and for that, the person needs to make the following practices a part of their lives:
- Stay active
- Practice yoga and meditation
- Consume healthy food
- Maintain a positive outlook on life
Stay active
Indulge in activities such as hiking, jogging, running, and exercising that keep a person active. Exercising can lower blood pressure, prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, help maintain BMI, and reduce inflammation in the body.
Yoga and meditation
These practices should be a part of a person’s daily routine as they help to reduce the stress that might trigger various health conditions affecting the person’s heart.
Consume healthy food
Follow a diet that fulfills daily nutritional requirements. It will help maintain a healthy heart and prevent other diseases leading to heart disease. Eat food rich in HDL, vitamins, and minerals to avoid health conditions like high cholesterol and obesity.
Maintain a positive outlook on life
It is important to laugh and practice gratitude. Listen to good music and maintain a positive outlook on life. A stress-free life promotes a healthy heart that prevents cardiac diseases.
Final words
Knowing what to expect on the test day can help the person prepare beforehand. We have summarized all the information that can help you perform well and feel comfortable during the stress test.
Also read: A Complete Guide To What Is A Nuclear Stress Test – What Does It Involve?
