Most people think of heart tests only when something feels wrong, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. But the truth is, cardiac problems often develop quietly.
A stress test can detect early signs of heart disease before symptoms appear, giving you the chance to take action early.
Here’s more from our team at Premier Cardiology Consultants in NYC regarding why stress tests matter even when you’re feeling fine.
Heart disease doesn’t always wave a red flag before it strikes. In fact, many people with coronary artery disease feel perfectly fine until a blockage becomes severe.
A stress test can uncover hidden circulation issues in a carefully controlled environment. It gives us a look at how your heart behaves when resting and how it performs under increased demand.
It’s a proactive step, whether you have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a history of smoking.
Notably, we may also recommend a stress test to follow up after a heart attack or if you’re undergoing treatment for a heart condition that requires periodic monitoring.
Think of it like a fire drill: you hope there’s no emergency, but if there is, you’ll be glad you found out before it becomes dangerous.
Walking into a stress test appointment can feel intimidating if you’ve never had one, but it’s actually straightforward.
Here’s the general process:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. Take your medications as directed before the study, but we may ask you to hold any that might affect the results. You’ll receive detailed instructions after your pre-test evaluation.
Electrodes placed on your chest and other areas monitor your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and other vital signs before, during, and after the stress test.
Depending on the type of test, you may walk on a treadmill, ride a stationary bike, or receive medication to simulate exercise. The intensity increases gradually as we continue to closely track your heart’s electrical activity and symptoms (if any).
After the test, you’ll rest while your heart rate returns to normal. Your cardiologist will review the results, explain what they mean, and develop a treatment strategy, which may range from lifestyle changes to medication to further diagnostic tests.
Depending on the type of stress test, the appointment usually takes about an hour, with the active testing lasting 10–15 minutes.
Not all stress tests are the same. Your cardiologist will choose the one best suited for your health and abilities.
This is the most common type, during which you walk or jog on a treadmill while hooked to an EKG. It measures how your heart responds to increasing effort.
This advanced study involves an injection of a small amount of a safe radioactive tracer that allows very detailed imaging of blood flow to the heart muscle before and after the stress test. This helps us detect areas with poor circulation.
This type includes ultrasound imaging before and after exercise to see how the heart muscle moves and pumps while at rest and under stress.
For patients unable to exercise, this type involves medication that’s used to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart.
Your heart works hard for you every single day. A stress test is one way to make sure it’s ready for whatever life throws at it.
Schedule a visit by calling Premier Cardiology Consultants today.
