Exercise Stress Test

We are currently offering Exercise Stress Tests at Sunpark Professional Centre.

Locations

The exercise stress test involves walking on a treadmill while being closely monitored by a physician.
Exercise stress tests help determine the presence and severity of heart disease if it exists.
Exercise stress tests are useful in evaluating your current fitness level as well as how your heart and body tolerate activity.

First, a technologist will place electrodes (adhesive patches) on your chest. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (EKG) that charts your heartâ€™s electrical activity during the test.
Before you start exercising, the technologist will perform a resting EKG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.
You will exercise on a treadmill. The technologist will ask you to start exercising and gradually increase your rate of exercise to a fairly vigorous level.
At regular intervals, the technologist will ask you how you are feeling. Please tell them if you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or if you have any other unusual symptoms.
The supervising physician and technician will closely monitor your EKG and blood pressure during the stress test.
The test will be stopped if you become too tired; have symptoms such as chest pain; or when the doctor feels they have gathered the required information.
At the completion of the test, you will be asked to wait for the treadmill belt to stop and then to sit down. After exercising, your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will continue to be monitored until the levels return to normal.

Because you will be encouraged to exercise as hard as you can, it is normal for your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and perspiration to increase. This information allows the physician to assess your heartâ€™s ability to function. If you begin to notice chest discomfort, excessive shortness of breath, lightheadedness, irregular heart beats or other symptoms of concern, inform the technologist immediately.

The appointment should take approximately 60-90 minutes. The actual exercise time is usually between seven and 15 minutes.

You may eat as you normally would on the day of your test but DO NOT ingest caffeine for 24 hours prior to your exam. DO NOT eat or drink anything except water for about four hours before the test. DO NOT smoke at least four hours prior to the test.

Take all of your medications at the usual times, as prescribed by your physician, unless you are told otherwise by your physician. However, avoid medication that contain caffeine or caffeine derivatives such as Tylenol #3, Anacin, Excedrin, No-Doz, Darvon, Caffregot or Fiorinal 24 hours prior to your test. Be sure to mention to the doctor if you have history of asthma or chronic lung disease. If you use an inhaler, please bring it with you to the test.

Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear for walking on the treadmill. Preferably wear a short-sleeved shirt with buttons or an oversized T-shirt. Please leave valuables at home.

If you are diabetic and are taking medications to manage your blood sugar and cannot fast for four hours, eat your regular meals and take your diabetes medication as prescribed, as long as there is at least two hours between eating and the time of your appointment. If this is not possible, please contact the physician who is managing your diabetes for specific instructions. If you own a glucose monitor, bring it with you to check your blood sugar levels before and after your exercise stress test. If you think your blood sugar is low, inform the technologist immediately.