Stress test
Your heart helps keep you going so you can do the things that matter to you. But if you experience fatigue during physical activity, you might have an underlying medical condition.
Your doctor may recommend a stress test to see how your heart responds to exercise. With so many locations in Wisconsin and Illinois locations, we can schedule your stress test as quickly as possible at a place and time that is convenient for you. Our experienced technicians and staff work closely with your doctor to complete your exercise test, and they’ll monitor you throughout the procedure to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
What is a stress test?
A stress test is a diagnostic tool that helps your doctor determine whether your heart is getting enough blood while you exercise.
We use this test to determine:
- Whether you're developing disorders such as an arrhythmia or heart disease
- How strenuously you can safely exercise during cardiac rehabilitation
- If rib pain symptoms are heart related
- The effectiveness of your heart disease treatment
Before the procedure, you'll see your physician for personalized guidelines to prepare including:
- Refraining from eating or drinking anything before your procedure
- How to get ready for your procedure including any medications you may need to stop taking
- Avoiding chewing, smoking or nicotine for at least 12 hours before the test
- Answering your questions and concerns
The stress test takes about an hour. A staff member will clean and prep your skin before placing electrode patches on your test.
To begin, the technician will take a resting electrocardiogram (EKG) to monitor your blood pressure, pulse and breathing. Next, you’ll walk on a treadmill or take medication to increase your heart rate if you’re unable to exercise.
We’ll record your heart activity while you’re walking on the treadmill with an EKG. Your doctor will speak to you throughout the test to ask about any symptoms you’re experiencing and to make sure you’re OK.
You’ll be able to resume regular activities right away. You also can drink plenty of liquids and take any medications you withheld before the test.
Your doctor will compare the two test results, then contact you to share the results and discuss the best possible treatment options.
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