Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death among both men and women, affecting millions worldwide. CAD occurs when there’s a blockage in the coronary arteries, limiting blood flow to the heart. Left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including heart attacks. Thankfully, non-invasive tests like the cardiac stress test can help detect this disease early by identifying potential blockages in your heart’s arteries, ensuring timely intervention and better outcomes.
At Advanced Cardiovascular Center, we perform these tests regularly, and we want to help you understand how to prepare and ease any anxiety you might have about the process.
How to Prepare for Your Cardiac Stress Test
1. Fasting Before the Test
Stress test should not be taken after any meal, therefore, you should not take any food or beverage other than water four hours to the test. Get enough water to drink but avoid taking both food and other beverages.
2. Avoid Caffeine
Two days before the examination, make sure to avoid all products containing any amount of caffeine. This includes tea, coffee, chocolate, energy drinks and soda.
3. Do Not Consume Blood Pressure Drugs
Drugs such as beta blockers used in managing blood pressure will influence the result of the stress test. On the eve of your test, you should avoid these drugs unless your doctor has prescribed otherwise. Always wait to consult with your doctor to determine certain medications you should take or should not take before the test.
4. Dress comfortably which includes appropriate shoes.
Since the test involves walking or jogging on a treadmill, it is advisable that you wear a loose outfit. Choose a sporty dress and make sure you wear a pair of supportive shoes – this could be old running shoes. By doing this, it will be convenient for you when you have to walk or jog during the test.
What Happens During a Heart Stress Test?
At Advanced Cardiovascular Center, our policy for performing the heart stress test is in a comfortable area in a controlled manner. When you come, we will attach electrodes to your chest. Several of these small areas are in contact with an electrocardiogram (EKG) device that records the electrical conductivity of your heart during the scan.
Before you start exercising on the treadmill, we will record EKG to capture your heart rate at the start point. After you get these first time measurements you will then begin walking at a slow speed on the treadmill. It will rise over time for like 10 to 15 minutes, and then it changes and you are advised to walk with some speed or even run based on ones physical ability, age and sex.
The idea here is to raise your heart rate to a specific level, ending at a rate between 50-85% maximum in most cases.
When you are undergoing the test, measures will be done on the way your heart works in response to stress through the EKG results and we may also use various imaging that includes blood perfusion of the heart muscle or ultrasound.
After the Test
As soon as the treadmill portion is done the subject will be disconnected from the electrodes and that is the end of the test. Your cardiologist will then analyse the images and EKG results to check for the presence of CAD or any problems with your heart.
What If I Can’t Do the Treadmill Test?
And if for any reason you can’t walk on the treadmill, be it because your illness does not allow this or for some other reason or you feel unsafe – there is a way out. Those tests that require stimulation of the effect of exercise on the heart may be carried out with the help of medication, so that it is not always necessary to exert oneself Physiologically.
Final Thoughts
By detecting conditions like coronary artery disease, you can take proactive steps toward managing your heart health and preventing serious complications. At Advanced Cardiovascular Center, we’re committed to providing the highest level of care and support to ensure your test is as comfortable and informative as possible.
If you have any doubts about your stress test preparation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Your heart health is our top priority.
