#Reference tool for cardiac stress test how to#
#Reference tool for cardiac stress test series#

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE): Uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make detailed pictures of your heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. This test can be done while youвЂ™re at rest or with exercise to elevate your heart rate (see exercise cardiac stress test below).Дў. Images from an echocardiogram are used to identify various abnormalities in the heart muscle and valves. This common test allows your physician to see how your heart is beating and how blood is moving through your heart. Echocardiogram : Uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. But whatвЂ™s their purpose and what should you expect? Michigan Medicine cardiologist Venkatesh Murthy, M.D., offers a guide to the various noninvasive tests your doctor may order, including what theyвЂ™re designed to do.ДЎ. If you have heart issues or are suspected of having a heart condition, your doctor may order an array of tests. There are a lot of test names you may hear when you visit your cardiologist, but what are all these tests and why do you need them?

#Reference tool for cardiac stress test how to#

Miss the other stories? Catch up on 5 Eating Tips for a Healthy Heart, How To Check Your Blood Pressure at Home, How to Know If You're Having a Heart Attack and Getting Heart Healthy with a Mediterranean Diet.

#Reference tool for cardiac stress test series#

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.This post is part of aВ mini blog series dedicated to bringing awareness about your heart health during the American Heart Association's national #HeartMonth. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. The above information is an educational aid only. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You have the right to help plan your care. You have chest pain even after you take your medicine.You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.You may have throbbing or extra heartbeats, chest pain, or a heart attack. What are the risks of a pharmacological stress test?ДЄ pharmacologic stress test may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or weak. You have uncontrolled high blood pressure.You have a heart rate of 40 beats per minute or less.

You have had food or drinks that contain caffeine within the past 12 hours.

Ask your caregiver for more information about medicines that may contain dipyridamole.

You used medicine that contains dipyridamole within the last 24 hours.

What may prevent me from having a pharmacological stress test? An ECG may be done to compare with the ECG done while you were resting.

You may need to do mild exercise on a treadmill after the medicine is given.

Several ECGs will be recorded during and after the medicine is given to you.

The medicine is given slowly by a caregiver through the IV, or a pump may be used.

Your caregiver will decide on the type of medicine to be used for your test.

A baseline ECG will be done while you are resting.

The electrodes will be attached to wires that send the electrical activity of your heart to the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. Hair may need to be removed to help the electrodes stick to your skin.

Electrodes (sticky patches) are stuck on your chest.

An IV line is placed in a vein of your arm.

Pharmacologic stress testing can be done in a clinic, a caregiver's office, or in a hospital. How is pharmacologic stress testing done?

Medicine that affects the blood vessels of the heart: These cause your arteries to dilate (widen) so that there will be more blood flow.

This causes an increase in the blood flow.

Medicine that works on the heart muscles: These increase your heart rate and the strength of contractions (pumping) of your heart muscles.

What types of medicine are used to do pharmacologic stress testing?

Decide if you can have surgery for another health condition.

Monitor or diagnose a heart condition, such as heart disease or arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).

Look for the cause of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and weakness.

Caregivers may also use a pharmacologic stress test to do any of the following: You may need a pharmacologic stress test if you have heart-related symptoms but cannot exercise. Why may I need a pharmacologic stress test? This test helps your caregiver find heart problems and plan treatment. Pharmacologic stress testing uses medicine to make the heart work just as it does when you exercise.