Quick Reference Guide Instruction Manual

What is a stress test?
A stress test (or an exercise ECG test) is used to determine how well
your heart and lungs function during physical activity. During the test,
you will walk on a tr
eadmill or ride on a bicycle while your heart rate,
blood pr
essur
e, and electrocar
diogram (ECG) are monitored. As the test
progresses, the level of exertion is gradually increased.
Why does it work?
During exercise the body requires more oxygen. As the level of physical
activity increases, the hear
t has to work harder to deliver more oxygen-
rich blood to the exercising muscles, so the heart beats faster. By
monitoring the electrical signals of the heart as it beats faster, we can
often see coronary problems that cannot be seen when the body is at
r
est. Because it is non-invasive, the stress test pr
ovides a safe and cost-
ef
fective initial test for coronary heart disease.
How do I prepare for the test?
Y
ou should not eat or smoke for at least two hours before the test. Y
ou
can drink water
, but no other beverages. Please review your medications
with your physician. Some medications you are not allowed to take prior
to the study. Take your approved medications with water only. You
should wear comfortable sneakers or walking shoes, and exercise
clothing, to the test.
What happens during the test?
A nurse or technician will attach ten disposable adhesives patches, or
electr
odes, on your chest. Befor
e placing the electrodes, each electrode
site will be cleaned with alcohol, then lightly abraded to remove oils
and to ensure that a good electrical connection is made. Wires are then
STRESS TEST PATIENT INFORMATION
attached to each electrode. These wires conduct the electrical signals of
the heart to the test system. A blood pressure cuff will also be placed on
your arm, so that blood pressure can be measured during the test.
After taking one or more resting ECG’s, you will move to the bicycle or
treadmill and start pedaling or walking slowly. At regular intervals, the
resistance of the bicycle—or the speed and elevation of the treadmill—
will incr
ease. As the intensity of the exercise increases, your heart rate
will increase. The test will be stopped if you experience dizziness, fatigue,
or abnormal heart beats. Normally the exercise portion of the test will end
when your heart rate has reached a target level (85% of a predicted
maximum heart rate, based on your age).
When the exer
cise portion of the test ends, you will still continue to pedal
or walk slowly until your hear
t rate retur
ns to normal. During this time your
ECG data, along with blood pressure, will still be recorded. Then the wires
and electrodes will be removed.
In some cases dr
ugs will be used, instead of exer
cise, to make the hear
t
accelerate. The str
ess test will still follow the same pattern, except that
you will not use the bicycle or treadmill.
Are there any risks?
The exer
cise stress test carries a very slight risk (1 in 100,000) of causing
a heart attack. All stress tests should be monitored by a health care
pr
ofessional. Immediately notify the attending health car
e pr
ofessional
if any of the following symptoms develop:
• unsteadiness • grayish, cold, or clammy skin
• dizziness • chest pain
• irregular heart beat
Sour
ce: Dr. Paul Fiacco, MD, CNY Family Care, E Syracuse, NY
i