A treadmill stress test allows your cardiologist to see how well your heart works when it needs to pump harder. Dr. Raveen R. Arora, MD, FACC, in Anaheim, California, is a board-certified cardiologist and internal medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered cardiology care. He performs many in-office tests to evaluate heart health, including the treadmill stress test. Call the office today to schedule a consultation to learn more.

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I have chest pain when I exercise. Do I need a treadmill stress test?

A treadmill stress test is one of the tests Dr. Arora might recommend if you have chest pain when you exercise.

Chest pain during exercise, called angina, can mean your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen when pumping harder.

He also performs the treadmill stress test to diagnose heart conditions like:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Arrhythmia (heartbeat with an irregular rhythm or that is too fast or too slow)
  • Heart failure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)

The purpose of the treadmill stress test is to force your heart to pump harder, making it easier to identify heart problems.

Dr. Arora can combine the treadmill stress test with nuclear cardiology imaging or ultrasound imaging if you have CAD or have suffered a recent heart attack.

How do I prepare for a treadmill stress test?

Dr. Arora and the staff give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your treadmill stress test. They could ask you to stop eating and drinking a few hours before your test and avoid consuming drinks with caffeine (coffee, cola, tea, energy drinks).

They might also provide guidance about medication and supplements and whether you should take them on the day of your test.

Most importantly, come to the treadmill stress test wearing comfortable clothing and shoes you can exercise in.

What happens during a treadmill stress test?

Dr. Arora and the staff review your medical history and check your heart rate and blood pressure.

They place electrodes on your chest that attach to an electrocardiogram (EKG). The EKG machine monitors the electrical activity of your heart. They also put a blood pressure cuff around your arm.

You then start walking on the treadmill as your provider slowly increases the workout’s intensity. You exercise for 10-15 minutes until you reach the target heart rate.

You can stop the exercise test if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

What do the results of a treadmill stress test mean?

The results of a treadmill stress test are either normal or abnormal. Normal results mean your heart is working like it should.

Abnormal results could indicate you have heart disease. Dr. Arora recommends further testing to confirm or rule out heart disease.

Call Dr. Raveen R. Arora, MD, FACC, today to schedule a consultation with the skilled cardiologist and learn more about the treadmill stress test.