Your physician might order a cardiac stress test to evaluate or diagnose heart problems. Different types of stress tests exist and your physician determines which one is best for you based on physical limitations and pre-existing conditions. Caffeine, a stimulant, is restricted as it affects heart rate and blood pressure and alters accurate test results. The test measures your heart muscle's response to physical exercise or simulated exercise induced by medications.
Test Preparations
Test preparation instructions include the appropriate clothing to wear, exercise restrictions before the test, food and water limitations, and caffeine restrictions. Food and beverages are restricted to help prevent nausea during the test. Your guidelines for the test also include an explanation of the test and what to expect. The test can show signs and symptoms not typically seen with rest and the test is stopped if you experience serious side effects.
Exercise Tolerance Test
The exercise stress test records your heart muscle's response to physical activity under controlled conditions. Continuous EKG and blood pressure monitoring are used to record your response. EKGs measure the heart's electrical activity and display it on a graph. Physical exercise includes the use of a treadmill or bicycle, with increases in speed and elevation at intervals, to achieve a target heart rate based on your age unless serious symptoms or exhaustion ends the test.
Chemical Stress Test
A chemical test relies on medications, used to simulate exercise effects on the heart, while physically in a resting state. The medications, administered intravenously, increase heart rate, strengthen the force of each contraction and dilate coronary arteries similar to physical exercise. All caffeinated and decaffeinated products are restricted for at least 24 hours before the test. This restriction includes coffees, teas, chocolate, colas and some medications. These products conflict with test medications, causing inaccurate results.
Holter Monitor
The Holter monitor test is not typically considered a stress test but it does measure your heart's response to your routine activities for a 24- to 48-hour period. Caffeinated and decaffeinated products are not restricted with this test. You are required to keep a diary of activities that are evaluated with your test results. The test might be ordered after a heart attack to detect irregular heartbeats or monitor effects of a medication.
