Stress Testing

Often ordered alongside imaging, stress tests can help detect conditions that are only apparent when the heart is stressed.

During the test, sticky pads and wires (electrodes) are attached to your arms, legs and chest. The pads are connected to a computer that measures the electrical impulses that cause your heart to beat. Typically, you walk on a treadmill with the pace increasing slightly at regular intervals. Your electrocardiogram, blood pressure and heart rate are monitored closely as you exercise.

In addition to routine treadmill exercise, stress testing may include nuclear stress and stress echo options. Stress testing can also be performed using an infused medicine in patients who are unable to exercise on a treadmill.

You might need an imaging stress test if:

• You have symptoms of heart disease – such as chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats or heart palpitations
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) shows something abnormal and your doctor can’t get useful information from a standard stress  test
• You are at high risk of heart disease due to risk factors like smoking.
• You have health problems linked to heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or peripheral artery disease

For more information, schedule an appointment with the Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute.