Risks

Before the Procedure

The doctor or a nurse will explain the procedure and offer the opportunity for patients to ask questions about the procedure. Patients will then be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to perform the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

Patients should notify the doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that they are taking.

During the test, we monitor the electrical activity of the heart and we ask patients to breathe through a face mask. This allows us to monitor oxygen uptake. At the beginning and end of the test, we do an ultrasound (echocardiogram) to look at the heart.

If patients are physically unable to walk/jog on a treadmill, please alert the staff to allow for an alternative (e.g. switch to a cardiac stress test using a drug). Once on the treadmill, the speed and incline will be gradually increased until symptoms or fatigue, pain, or cardiac abnormality occurs.

• You will be asked to fast for a few hours before the procedure. You should not smoke for two hours prior to the procedure. Do not have any caffeine or caffeine products for 24 hours
• If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor
• Notify your doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking

Exercise Stress Test

We estimate how much exercise we think the patient will be able to perform, then we grade the treadmill so that the patient will reach this level in about 10 minutes.

• Wear flat shoes that are comfortable for walking and loose-fitting pants or shorts. Women should wear a short-sleeved top that fastens in the front for ease of attaching the ECG electrodes to the chest
• The area(s) where the electrodes are to be placed may be shaved
• The doctor may request other specific preparations depending on certain medical conditions

Drug stress test

Before the stress test, fasting may be required. The doctor will give instructions as to how long patients should withhold food and/or liquids. In some cases, cigarettes and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola, may be restricted several hours before testing.

Notify the doctor if:

• Patients are allergic to or sensitive to medications or latex;
• Patients are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant; or
• Patients have a pacemaker
  

Based upon the medical condition, the doctor may request some other specific preparation.

During the Procedure

The doctor or a nurse will explain the procedure and offer the opportunity for patients to ask questions about the procedure. Patients will then be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to perform the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

Patients should notify the doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that they are taking.

During the test, we monitor the electrical activity of the heart and we ask patients to breathe through a face mask. This allows us to monitor oxygen uptake. At the beginning and end of the test, we do an ultrasound (echocardiogram) to look at the heart.

If patients are physically unable to walk/jog on a treadmill, please alert the staff to allow for an alternative (e.g. switch to a cardiac stress test using a drug). Once on the treadmill, the speed and incline will be gradually increased until symptoms or fatigue, pain, or cardiac abnormality occurs.

• Patients will be asked to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Patients should not smoke for two hours prior to the procedure. Do not have any caffeine or caffeine products for 24 hours
• If patients are pregnant or suspect that they may be pregnant, they should notify their doctor
• Patient should notify the doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements they are taking

Exercise Stress Test

We estimate how much exercise we think the patient will be able to perform, then we grade the treadmill so that the patient will reach this level in about 10 minutes.

• Wear flat shoes that are comfortable for walking and loose-fitting pants or shorts. Women should wear a short-sleeved top that fastens in the front for ease of attaching the ECG electrodes to the chest
• The area(s) where the electrodes are to be placed may be shaved
• The doctor may request other specific preparations depending on certain medical conditions

Drug stress test

Before the stress test, fasting may be required. The doctor will give instructions as to how long patients should withhold food and/or liquids. In some cases, cigarettes and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola, may be restricted several hours before testing.

Notify the doctor if:

• Patients are allergic to or sensitive to medications or latex;
• Patients are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant; or
• Patients have a pacemaker
  

Based upon the medical condition, the doctor may request some other specific preparation.

After the Procedure

Patients should be able to resume normal diet and activities, unless the doctor instructs differently. Generally, there is no special care following an exercise or drug stress test.

The doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on the patient’s needs.

After an exercise stress test, patients may feel tired for several hours or longer after the procedure, particularly if they do not normally exercise. Otherwise, patients should feel normal within a few hours after the procedure, if not sooner. If fatigue lasts longer than a day, notify the doctor.

Contact the doctor ifs any of the following signs or symptoms occur:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath