The cardiac stress test can rule-out your risk of heart disease, but generally requires follow-up testing. This assessment is also referred to as a cardiopulmonary test, cardiac diagnostic test, or abbreviated as CPX test.
This cardiological test evaluates the heart’s capacity to respond to external stressDon’t Let the Holidays Stress You in a contained clinical setting. The test is done in two parts. First, in a very controlled condition wherein the heart is stressed by employing a treadmill. Blood pressure, rhythm, and heart rate are frequently checked during the entire assessment. On the second step of the test, pictures of the heart are taken. The images are compared with the ones made before the exercise portion.
Before taking this evaluation, most doctors advise their patients to do fasting. Tests are usually done in the morning, so fasting is suggested since midnight. The explanation for starvation is that it is safer and more comfortable to do a stress test without a full belly. Consuming water is acceptable.
Doctors also advise patients to avoid caffeine preceding to the test, wear proper shoes (for exercise) and to confer any concerns with the technician before the test, especially cases with diabetes.
Patients will receive two injections, a modest amount of radioactive material. There is no side effect because the level of radioactivity is immensely low. A gamma camera will then be placed to the subject’s chest and will take pictures of the heart and will be documented. This part is called the rest study and will usually last for 30 minutes.
Following this procedure, competent personnel will place ECG leads to the patient’s chest. This will be used to monitor the heart during the stress test.
The heart of the subject will then be stressed through exercise or by the use of medication. While doing this procedure, a nurse or physician is continuously on the monitor. The actual portion of the stress test takes bout ten to fifteen minutes; nevertheless, preparation takes longer, which is up to thirty minutes.
A second injection will be administered before the end of the test. These medicinal radio compounds are taken up by your heart muscle and be envisioned by the gamma camera in the same manner as the rest study.
