Cardiac Stress Test
A cardiac stress test, also known as a cardiac diagnostic test, is a medical
examination used in cardiology to evaluate the heart's response to external
stress under controlled clinical conditions.
The stress response is induced through exercise or drug stimulation. During
cardiac stress tests, the coronary circulation is compared between the
patient at rest and the same patient during maximum physical exertion,
revealing any abnormal blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium). These
results offer insights into the overall physical condition of the patient
undergoing the test. Additionally, this test aids in diagnosing ischemic
heart disease and assessing patient prognosis following a heart attack
(myocardial infarction).
The cardiac stress test involves heart stimulation, achieved through
exercise on a treadmill, pedaling a stationary exercise bicycle ergometer,
or intravenous pharmacological stimulation, while the patient is connected
to an electrocardiogram (ECG). For individuals unable to use their legs, a
bicycle-like crank operated with the arms may be used for exercise.
The level of mechanical stress gradually increases by adjusting the
difficulty (such as the steepness of the slope) and speed. The test
administrator or attending physician monitors symptoms and blood pressure
response. While most commonly referred to as a cardiac stress test when
using ECG, it may also be known by other names such as exercise testing,
stress testing treadmills, exercise tolerance test, or stress test ECG.
Echocardiography may accompany a stress test. It is performed both before
and after exercise to compare structural differences.
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