![]() For this test, you typically lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. Areas that have little or no amounts of the tracer suggest poor blood flow. A special scanner shows how the tracer moves through the heart arteries. It is similar to a routine stress test, but during a nuclear stress test, a radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream. A nuclear stress test helps measure blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress. An echocardiogram may be done during a stress test. These images can show how blood flows through the heart. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart in motion. If you can't exercise, you may be given drugs that mimic the effect of exercise on the heart. Other tests may be done at the same time as a stress test. A stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the heart is monitored. Sometimes angina is easier to diagnose when the heart is working harder. A cardiac enzyme blood test can help detect these substances. Certain heart enzymes enter the bloodstream when the heart muscle is damaged, such as from a heart attack. A chest X-ray may be done to determine if other conditions are causing chest pain symptoms and to see if the heart is enlarged. A chest X-ray shows the condition of the heart and lungs. Your health care provider also can look for patterns in the heart rhythm to see if blood flow through the heart has been slowed or interrupted. An ECG can show if the heart is beating too fast, too slow or not at all. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which displays the test results. Sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart. The exercise technician will give you preliminary results.Ī cardiologist will dictate the formal interpretation for your follow-up visit or for forwarding to your referring physician.Īllow approximately 45 to 60 minutes for the procedure, including preparation and the exercise and recovery periods. As soon as these measurements are close to your initial or resting values, you will be disconnected from the monitor. The exercise portion will end once you have attained a target heart rate (pre-determined by age) unless the EKG shows signs of adverse effects of the exercise on your heart, if your blood pressure becomes too high or if you develop significant symptoms beforehand.Ī minimum six-minute recovery period is then done as a cool-down with continued heart rate, blood pressure and EKG monitoring. Your responsibility is to exercise to the best of your ability (it is not an absolute maximum effort but should be a level higher than you would typically perform at home) and to inform the test supervisor of any developing symptoms (leg pain, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath). During this time, your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will be monitored. The test begins slowly and increases gradually in speed and incline every two to three minutes. You will be asked to walk on a treadmill for approximately 5 to 15 minutes. These initial steps are taken to ensure there are no significant abnormalities that would prevent your test from being done. You will have an additional EKG and blood pressure measurement taken while standing. You will lie down on your back for a few minutes while electrocardiograms (EKG) and a blood pressure are obtained. Lead wires will then be connected to the electrodes. It also evaluates blood flow to the arteries of the heart to help determine if you have heart disease or to diagnose a heart-related cause of symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest or upper back pain.Īn exercise technician will place electrodes (small adhesive patches) on your chest, wrists and ankles. ![]() This records the electrical activity of your heart at rest and under stress (exercise). These exercise stress tests are typically conducted by having patients walk on a treadmill while monitoring their electrocardiogram (EKG). This noninvasive test is also referred to as a standard or regular stress test or exercise electrocardiogram.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |