Stress Test Specialist

What is a stress test?

A stress test, also known as an exercise test, assesses how well your heart functions during physical exertion. 

During the stress test, your provider at Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., forces your heart to pump harder and faster, which may show signs of a heart problem not evident when your heart is pumping normally. 

Am I a candidate for a stress test?

Your provider at Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., determines if you’re a candidate for a stress test during a consultation. 

The family medicine team may recommend the diagnostic test if you have symptoms that indicate a possible heart problem, such as chest pain during exercise (angina), shortness of breath, or dizziness. 

The stress test may help diagnose heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or arrhythmia. The team may also recommend you undergo a stress test to reassess heart health after implementing a cardiac program to treat your heart condition. 

How do I prepare for stress testing?

The Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., team provides specific instructions on how to prepare for your stress test. 

They request you stop eating and drinking three hours prior to the test and that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for exercise. 

For patients taking certain medications to manage health issues, such as insulin for diabetes or heart medication for a heart condition, the team provides specific instructions about when to take the medication before the test. 

What happens during a stress test?

The stress test at Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., is an in-office exam that takes about an hour. After reviewing the details of your stress test, the technician places circular leads on your chest, shoulders, and hips and attaches them to an electrocardiogram (EKG).

The EKG measures the electrical activity of your heart during exercise. 

Your provider then has you start walking on a treadmill at a slow, warm-up pace. Then, they adjust the speed and slope of the treadmill every three minutes. Your provider monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG readings during the test.

They continue to increase the intensity of your workout until you reach your target heart rate or develop symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. 

In some cases, the team may have you continue to exercise for a set period at your target heart rate if you show no signs of heart trouble. 

Unless otherwise directed, you can resume your usual activities after your stress test.

For a primary care practice that meets all your health needs, schedule an appointment at Valdosta Family Medicine Associates, P.C., by calling the office or booking online today.