Cardiac stress ECG or exercise stress test
A cardiac stress ECG, or exercise stress test, is a test designed to determine a person’s performance and any limiting factors, such as myocardial ischaemia or chest pain, arrhythmias or pumping disturbances during exercise. Exercise testing can be used to investigate the causes of chest pain and to assess the risk of coronary heart disease. Suspected coronary artery disease is the most common reason for an exercise stress test.
In the stress test, you pedal on an exercise bike with increasing resistance every minute. During the test, the cardiologist monitors the electrical activity of the patient’s heart and blood pressure. The results of the test are made available to the patient immediately after the test.
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How to prepare for a stress ECG
- Dress preferably in sportswear and running shoes.
- Windbreakers or other electrically conductive clothing should not be worn as they can interfere with the cardiac film.
- Avoid strenuous exercise on the day of the test and the day before.
- You can eat normally on the day of the study, but do not eat just before the study.
- Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks and smoking should be avoided for four hours before the test.
If you have recently had a respiratory infection, contact the Sydänkeskus in advance. The test may need to be rescheduled.
Follow any instructions your doctor may give you about continuing or stopping your medicines.
What happens in test
The stress test and appointment will take about half an hour to an hour.
- Preparations approx. 10 min
- Pedaling on a training bike approx. 4–15 min
- Rest on the bike approx. 5 min
After the test, you can take a shower at our Sydänkeskus if you wish.
When to have a cardiac stress ECG
Reasons to get a cardiac stress test include:
- suspected coronary artery disease
- angina pectoris symptoms, chest pain
- arrhythmias, especially during exercise
- response to treatment for proven heart disease
- finding out about breathlessness
- assessing the situation in a high-risk heart patient
- assessment of working capacity and functional capacity
- risk assessment for surgical procedures
- planning rehabilitation and monitoring rehabilitation
Read more about coronary heart disease.