Treadmill Stress Testing

What is treadmill stress testing?

Treadmill stress testing is a painless diagnostic procedure that lets your heart specialist know how hard your heart works during exercise. It reveals problems with your heart’s blood flow and other conditions apparent only when the heart pumps faster and harder during physical activity.

You will walk on a treadmill during the test.

Is treadmill stress testing right for me?

The Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates team reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle to determine if you need treadmill stress testing. They check your pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs and complete a physical exam. You might also need blood tests, imaging procedures, or other diagnostic tests.

Your heart specialist uses a stress test to:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) or other heart problems
• Guide treatment decisions
• Evaluate current heart disease treatments
• Diagnose the severity of a heart condition
• Evaluate your heart’s health before surgery

See the Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates experts any time you experience symptoms of a heart problem. These include chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, and heartbeat abnormalities (arrhythmia).

How should I prepare for treadmill stress testing?

Follow your provider’s instructions to get ready for treadmill stress testing. They might ask you to avoid smoking, foods, drinks, and caffeine before your scheduled appointment. Ask your heart specialist if you can continue to take prescribed medications as usual. If you use an inhaler because of breathing problems, bring it with you to your stress test.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for your treadmill stress test.

What should I expect during treadmill stress testing?

A complete stress test takes about an hour. But the exercise portion takes only about 15 minutes. You might walk or jog on a treadmill, pedal on a stationary bike, or take medicine that mimics the effects of exercise.

Your provider places sensors on your legs, arms, and chest. The wires attached to the sensors connect to a computer, displaying your heart’s activity. You also wear a cuff to evaluate your blood pressure and might breathe through a tube during the exercise portion of the stress test.

If you can, your provider asks you to increase exercise intensity but stop if you have unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, significant changes in blood pressure, and severe shortness of breath.

What happens after treadmill stress testing?

After the test, you rest while your provider monitors your breathing and heart rate. You can resume normal daily activities if your specialist gives you the OK. They review the treadmill stress testing results with you and let you know if you need further diagnostic testing or treatment, like medicine, lifestyle changes, or a medical procedure.

Call the Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates office today or use the online booking feature to learn more about treadmill stress testing and if you need one.