What it is: An exercise test used to diagnose heartbeat irregularities and heart disease. You’ll be asked to run or walk on a treadmill while electrodes (small metal patches connected to wires, which record the electrical activity of your heart) are attached to your chest, arms and legs. Your doctor will predetermine a target heartbeat number for you to reach during the test (typically 85 percent of your maximum heart rate) to gauge how your heart functions.

 

Who needs one
In women over 50, a stress test can determine a safe level of exercise. Otherwise, you won’t need one unless you experience symptoms or have risk factors for heart disease, or if a resting EKG/ECG exam shows irregularities.

 

Ease your mind
The test itself is straightforward and painless, but people always worry when they think there’s something wrong with their heart. But even if we find irregular, skipped or extra beats, it can be common and normal—not necessarily a sign of heart disease. People sometimes worry about having a heart attack during the exam, but this is extremely rare.

 

The next step
If blockages or irregular heartbeats are found, a nuclear stress test may be conducted. This is a more sophisticated test in which the doctor examines images of your heart during exercise, and at rest to assess how well blood is flowing to your heart.

 

For further information about heart care at Rush North Shore, or to find a cardiologists, call Physician Referral at 847-933-6000.