A cardiac stress is an exercise tolerance test designed to increase an individual's heart rate - to "stress" the heart while hooked up to an EKG.  This is performed and monitored by a medical professional who is looking for any abnormalities that suggest the presence of  heart disease.  The test is used to detect certain abnormalities, to monitor patients with known heart disease and to check the effectiveness of treatment or surgery. You will be interviewed and prepared for your stress test.You will be interviewed and prepared for your stress test.  Electrode patches will be placed on your chest.  You will have a baseline EKG done and your blood pressure will  be checked.  Any questions that you have will be answered.  

The purpose of the test is to gradually increase your heart rate.  You will be asked to walk on a treadmill.  Your blood pressure, heart rate, and EKG will be monitored.

It is important that you report any chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, pain in your arms or neck, tiredness or any other discomfort you may feel while performing the test.

The test is geared to your age, health status, and ability.  Your test may be terminated at any time.

After exercise, there will be approximately 10 minutes of rest with continued monitoring of your EKG and vital signs.  The test is completed after this rest period.  You may go home and resume normal activities.

Upon completion of the study, a cardiologist will interpret the results.  A report will be forwarded to your cardiologist and primary care physician.  Unless otherwise instructed, you should make an appointment with your cardiologist or physician to discuss the results of the test.

The exercise test may cause (in some people): skipped heart beats, chest pain, in very rare instances; a heart attack, in extremely rare instances; death.  These occurrences are extremely rare.  Every effort is made to avoid or minimize these occurrences.  Personnel and equipment are readily available if such an event should occur.