An exercise stress test is a tool to evaluate how well your heart functions under physical stress.
As your body works harder during the test, its oxygen needs increase, requiring the heart to pump more blood.
This test gives doctors more information about your heart’s health.
There are several types of stress tests, including an exercise stress test and a stress echocardiogram.
Here’s what to know about and expect if your doctor recommends one of these tests to monitor your heart’s strength.
What’s the Difference Between a Stress Test and a Stress Echo?
During an exercise stress test — the most common type of stress test — a doctor asks you to walk on a treadmill or a stationary bike while gradually increasing the machine’s intensity.
An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of your heart or the impulses that cause your heart to push blood out to the body.
Your doctor can then assess how your heart responds to physical exertion.
They’ll monitor your blood pressure and heart rhythm throughout the procedure.
During an exercise stress test, healthy coronary arteries should open up to supply more blood to the heart muscle. When the arteries narrow due to a blockage, they disrupt blood flow.
This blood flow disruption produces symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, which should produce abnormalities on an electrocardiogram.
A stress echocardiogram combines the exercise stress test with echocardiography by taking images of the heart before and after exercise.
This test helps determine how the heart’s structure and function change under stress using ultrasound imaging.
A stress echocardiogram, or stress echo, can show blockages in the heart’s arteries. A stress test alone can’t.
Why Would I Need a Stress Echo?
A doctor may request a stress echocardiogram, or a standard stress test, if you:
- Experience new or worsening symptoms of angina, or chest pain.
- Have a high risk of heart disease.
- Have heart valve problems or coronary artery disease.
- May have heart failure, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, or congenital heart disease.
- Need surgery for heart disease or other heart problems.
- Recently had a heart attack.
What to Expect During a Stress Echo
During a stress echo, your doctor will:
- Place electrodes on your chest, arms, and legs to record the heart’s activity.
- Ask you to begin walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike. They’ll gradually increase the pace and incline of the machine. If you can’t exercise, you may receive medication to make your heart beat faster and harder, similar to when you exercise.
- Record your blood pressure, heart rhythm, and ultrasound images. These will reveal any parts of the heart that aren’t getting enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.
- Stop the test prior to reaching your target heart rate if you develop significant chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Also do this if readings show serious irregular heartbeats.
- Share more information about the test results with you and explore next steps or follow-up care.
Heart Attack Risk Factors
Talk to your health care professional about your risk factors for heart disease and heart attack.
They can recommend healthy lifestyle changes, prescribe medication, and more.
The most common heart attack risk factors, according to the American Heart Association, include:
- Diabetes.
- Family history of cardiovascular disease.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Overweight or obesity.
- Smoking.
Common symptoms of heart disease or heart attack are:
- Chest discomfort.
- Cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath.
Tips for Heart Health
Maintaining heart health is crucial to a long, active life.
Here are some practical tips from the American Heart Association to help you keep your heart in good shape.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Aim for a variety of fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Opt for whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread. Limit saturated and trans fats and reduce sodium intake.
- Get enough sleep: Strive for seven to nine hours per night to support overall health and heart function.
- Know your numbers: Keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- Know your risk factors: If heart disease runs in your family, stay proactive about managing and discussing other risk factors with your health care provider.
- Limit alcohol: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Manage stress: Engage in activities like meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or yoga to manage stress.
- Stay active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing can make exercise more enjoyable. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases heart disease risk.
Heart Care Close to Home
The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is one of the world’s premier centers for comprehensive cardiovascular care.
Specialists are developing cutting-edge medical devices and new treatment models that can improve the lives of those with even the most complex conditions.
To request an appointment, contact the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at 1-855-876-2484 or HeartAndVascular@upmc.edu.
Find more information at www.upmc.com/services/heart-vascular.