Stress Test
If you have heart problems or have a family history of heart disease, your physician may recommend going through a stress test. This in-office evaluation, performed at any of the CareFirst Wellness Associates, provide information about how well your heart functions during physical stress. You can schedule your stress test consultation online or call your nearest clinic to book.
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While many in-office tests can evaluate your heart’s function, only the stress test evaluates how well your heart really functions when it’s under physical stress. This type of test involves exercise to push your heart to pump harder and faster. A stress test can detect any of the following issues.
Coronary heart disease
Heart valve disease
Heart attack damage
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
You might also need a stress test if you went through heart surgery, including angioplasty or bypass surgery. In this case, the stress test shows how well the surgery improved your heart disease symptoms.
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Before getting started on your stress test, your practitioner places several sticky electrode patches on your body, usually on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are connected to an electrocardiogram system that records your heart’s electrical activity throughout your stress test.
In most cases, you have to wear a blood pressure cuff throughout your stress test to check your blood pressure throughout the process. Plus, you might also have to breathe into a special tube to allow your practitioner to measure the volume of gasses you exhale.
Once you’re connected to any essential equipment, your stress test begins. You’re either going to be walking fast or running on a treadmill, or cycling on a stationary bike. During the stress test, your practitioner gradually increases the intensity, in an effort to make the exercise harder, so your heart has to pump harder and faster.
Typically, your exercise continues until you reach your specific target heart rate, or until you start experiencing symptoms, such as dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
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Your stress testing is performed right in the office at CareFirst Wellness Associates, and the team counsels you ahead of time on what you can do to prepare. To get ready for your stress test, it’s important to:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing
Bring your asthma inhaler (if applicable)
Wear sneakers or shoes appropriate for exercising
Avoid coffee or caffeine for a specific time frame beforehand
You might also need to fast for several hours before your stress test and avoid certain medications. But these special circumstances vary from patient to patient, especially if you’re diabetic. If you have any questions before your stress test, you can always call CareFirst Wellness Associates to speak with a team member.
Schedule your stress test evaluation at CareFirst Wellness Associates today. Click on the online scheduler or call your closest location directly.
