What is a Stress Test?

A Cardiac stress test, also know as Treadmill test is a test used in medicine and cardiology to measure the human heart's ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment.

How is it Performed?

Once you arrive for your test, our doctors will elicit your medical history and go through your medical records. They will assess your fitness before proceeding with the test. Once you are cleared to take the test, you will be asked to change into a gown and ECG leads will be hooked on to you and the baseline heart activity and blood pressure are recorded.

The stress response is induced by exercise or drug stimulation. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and how tired one feels are monitored during the test. The slope and the speed of exercise are increased in a stepwise fashion until the target heart rate is achieved. A cardiologist is present to conduct all the stress tests and examines the symptoms and blood pressure response. After the recordings are complete, you will be asked to gradually slow down and then lie down while your blood pressure and cardiac activity are recorded again. The tests can be terminated at any moment, if the cardiologist feels the patient is under undue stress.

What are its applications?

Cardiac stress tests compare the heart circulation while the patient is at rest with the same patient's circulation observed during maximum physical exertion, showing any abnormal blood flow to the heart's muscle tissue. The results can be interpreted as a reflection on the general physical condition of the test patient.

This test can be used to diagnose ischemic heart disease, and for patient prognosis after a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Do I need to prepare for the test?

• Please carry any previous ECG/stress test reports and any other relevant medical records with you,
• Avoid exercise in the morning before coming for the test,
• Avoid drinking tea or coffee before the test. You can have a lite breakfast before the test,
• Male Patients must shave their chest,
• Wear loose clothes and sports shoes while coming for the test,
• If you are taking any medications, kindly consult your physician if you should discontinue them before the test.

Who is at an increased risk for Coronary Artery Disease?

Risk factors for coronary artery disease include smoking, family history of coronary artery stenosis, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and high Homocysteine levels. Stressful lifestyle is also a major risk factor for coronary artery disease.

What is the Diagnostic Value of Stress Testing?

According to American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, stress testing, done using the Modified Bruce Protocol, has a sensitivity of 73-90% and specificity of 50-74%. To arrive at the patient's post-test likelihood of disease, interpretation of the stress test result requires integration of the patient's pre-test likelihood with the test's sensitivity and specificity.

Who will provide a report?

Only a trained and qualified cardiologist will interpret your records. If any previous reports or recordings are available, he will provide a comparison between them.

When will I get the reports?

We aim to deliver your reports on the same day or one day after the test. In cases of emergency, we will strive to provide the report as soon as possible.