What Exercise Stress Tests Evaluate

An exercise stress test works to see how well a patient’s heart responds when they are working it the hardest. This test usually involves putting patients on a treadmill to increase their heart rate. As they are walking or running, the electrocardiogram they are hooked up to will provide the professional performing the test with important information regarding the patient’s heart health. The primary use is to see if the patient’s heart is getting enough blood flow and oxygen when they are engaging in exercise or other types of vigorous activity. This test is typically done as part of a diagnostic series to look for clues that could indicate the patient may have specific cardiovascular health issues.

Measures Blood Flow To The Heart

The heart pumps approximately two thousand gallons of blood per day. If inadequate blood is flowing, it can cause a wealth of health issues in the body. This test works to measure blood flow to the heart to ensure it is operating efficiently. During this test, if not enough blood is flowing to the heart, it can cause a variety of symptoms that are indicative of this, such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and chest pain. Poor blood flow may indicate coronary heart disease. This disease increases the risk of a heart attack, which can be life-threatening.

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Develop A Safe Exercise Regime

All individuals have different needs and limits when it comes to exercise. This is especially true for those with a history of cardiovascular diseases. An exercise stress test is one tool doctors can use to help patients develop a safe exercise regime. After this test, the doctor can see how healthy a patient’s heart is and which types of exercise are likely to be safe. From here, the doctor will create a fitness plan for the patient that considers any limits they may have. An exercise stress test may be repeated after six to twelve months to determine if they can adapt the exercise plan. Exercise often improves overall heart health, so by rerunning the test at a later date, many patients are found to be able to increase their exercise.

Continue reading to get familiar with other measures exercise stress tests evaluate.