Stress tests are commonly used to diagnose coronary artery disease or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), or to help your doctor plan treatment for a heart condition you've been diagnosed with.
A stress test is generally safe. Complications are rare. Possible complications of an exercise stress test are: Low blood pressure.
A cardiac stress test can reveal blockages in your arteries through the various types of information it collects. If your blood oxygen level is below normal, the test reveals that your blood flow is partially blocked.
Minor symptoms of heart blockage include irregular or skipped heartbeats, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Other symptoms may include pain or numbness in the legs or arms, as well as neck or throat pain.
Oftentimes, the next step for people who fail a stress test, and who have risk factors for or symptoms of cardiovascular disease, is an imaging test called a coronary angiography. Your doctor may call it a cardiac catheterization, or “cath” for short.
How long does it take to get stress test results? “You will get them within 24 hours of the test,” Chaudhari said. “However, if the stress test is very abnormal at the time of the test itself, then usually the technician gets the cardiologist into the room right away to discuss any concerns with the patient.”
Stress tests are usually safe. You will be closely watched during the test. If a problem develops, you'll be treated quickly. Medicines that make your heart work harder sometimes cause symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea.
The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries are damaged or diseased. A nuclear stress test can diagnose coronary artery disease and show how severe the condition is.
Because the test can falsely indicate a problem, national organizations such as the American College of Cardiology advise doctors not to routinely offer stress tests to those without symptoms or strong risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease
Medicare will cover these tests ordered by your Medicare doctor, including scans, stress tests, echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations. When it comes to diagnosis and treatment of heart disease or any other illness, Medicare generally covers medically necessary services.
The nurse will help you with them after you are awake. You will not be allowed to eat or drink until the medicine used to numb your throat wears off. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You may not drive yourself home after your test.
Once you're prepared, you'll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. A doctor or nurse will be nearby in case you feel ill during the test. If you're using a treadmill, you'll start by walking in place slowly.
After an exercise stress test, patients may feel tired for several hours or longer after the procedure, particularly if they do not normally exercise. Otherwise, patients should feel normal within a few hours after the procedure, if not sooner. If fatigue lasts longer than a day, notify the doctor.
The radioactive liquid leaves your body through your urine and bowel movements. Anyone who touches your urine or bowel movements should also wash his or her hands. Limit time to cuddle and hug children under 3 years old. Limit close time for up to 18 hours after your test.
Your target heart rate during a stress test depends on your age. For adults, the maximum predicted heart rate is 220 minus your age. So, if you're 40 years old, the maximum predicted heart rate is 220 – 40 = 180.
Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others. Heart failure means the heart has failed to pump the way it should in order to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Atherosclerosis, which causes diseases of the arteries, is a very common process. One of the biggest risk factors for atherosclerosis is age, so it is more common among people in their 60s and 70s, although there are many elderly people who don't have significant atherosclerosis.