Stress Testing

What is stress testing?

Stress testing is a way to evaluate your heart function when it's working the hardest. In many cases, stress testing is a helpful tool for heart condition diagnosis because Dr. Meyer can more accurately pinpoint issues when your heart is pumping blood most actively.

Stress testing typically involves exercising on a treadmill to get your heart pumping. 

What kind of stress testing will I need?

Madison Avenue Cardiovascular offers several types of stress tests, including:

Stress electrocardiogram

In a stress electrocardiogram, you walk on a treadmill while an electrocardiogram machine monitors your electrical heart activity through small electrodes on your chest. Dr. Meyer commonly uses this type of stress testing to assess chest pain and heart palpitations. 

A stress electrocardiogram can also help to detect arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, and Dr. Meyer may use a stress electrocardiogram to check the effectiveness of your hypertension medication. 

Finally, you may need this kind of test before starting an exercise regimen to make sure your heart is healthy enough for the activity. 

Stress echocardiogram

For a stress echocardiogram, you first have a baseline ultrasound test to obtain images of your heart. Then, you walk on the treadmill to get your heart pumping hard. 

While walking, Dr. Meyer obtains another set of heart images. He can then compare what your heart looks like at work against your baseline test results. 

Dr. Meyer may use a stress echocardiogram to evaluate heart murmurs, check for signs of coronary artery disease, find the cause of chest pain, evaluate hypertension, or look for signs of previous heart attacks. You may also need this stress test before cardiac surgery.

Nuclear stress testing

In a nuclear stress test, injected radioactive dye and X-ray imaging show how the blood flows from the coronary arteries to your heart. The test assesses blood flow when you're at rest and when you're walking on the treadmill.  

Nuclear stress testing can reveal blockages that would potentially lead to heart attack or death if untreated. 

Dr. Meyer may perform this kind of stress test while screening for coronary artery disease, looking for the cause of chest pain, or evaluating heart symptoms following procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery. 

Or, if other stress testing methods don't produce clear images, nuclear stress testing may be the best way to evaluate heart blood flow. 

If you can't exercise for any of these stress tests, Dr. Meyer can administer a medication that mimics the effects of exercise.

How do I prepare for stress testing?

Dr. Meyer gives you detailed directions ahead of time. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes with sturdy soles. Dr. Meyer may tell you to temporarily change or discontinue medications that could interfere with your test results. Depending on the type of test you're having, you may need to fast before the test.

For stress testing of all types in a comfortable New York City office, call Madison Avenue Cardiovascular or click the scheduling tool now.