Exercise Stress Test

Exercise Stress Test

In some cases, EKG irregularities can only be identified during exercise or while symptoms are present. An exercise stress test demonstrates the effect that exercise and physical activity has on the heart. In many cases, the exercise stress test is performed to determine the causes of chest pain and/or to identify rhythm abnormalities during exercise.

A standard stress test involves the patient walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike while being monitored by an electrocardiogram and blood pressure readings to measure the heart’s response to the body’s increased need for oxygen.

The patient continues the test until a target heart rate is reached, unless chest pain or a dramatic rise in blood pressure occurs. The heart will continue to be monitored for several minutes after exercising.