If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or other signs of heart problems, a cardiac stress test may be the first step in figuring out what’s happening and determining how to treat you.
Stress tests are the most common diagnostic tests for heart problems and are used to detect coronary artery disease.
Types of stress tests
The traditional stress test is often referred to as an exercise stress test or treadmill test. We use this test to measure how your heart responds to stress, usually by having you walk on a treadmill. Medicine may also be used to elevate your heart rate. We offer different kinds of stress tests:
- Exercise stress tests – Traditional stress test typically performed on a treadmill or exercise bike.
- Nuclear stress tests – A small, harmless amount of radioactive material is inserted into the bloodstream to determine which parts of the heart are healthy and which are not.
Learn what to expect and how to prepare for a stress test.
