Stress Testing

Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, periodic heart-function testing is important. At Cyrus Medical Office in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, internal medicine specialist Golali Nejati, MD, and the expert team offer stress testing to detect possible heart problems before complications develop. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What is stress testing?

Stress testing at Cyrus Medical Office is an exercise test that helps determine how well your heart functions during physical activity. It typically requires you to ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill while hooked up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) that monitors your heart’s activity. 

What can stress testing help measure?

Stress testing can evaluate:

• Heart function during exercise
• Blood flow
• The effectiveness of your heart pumping blood
• Whether or not you have adequate blood supply
• If symptoms are caused by heart issues during exercise
• How well you’re able to perform during exercise
• Whether you’re a candidate for treatment

Stress tests can detect problems with the heart muscle, valves, blood flow, electrical stability, and more.

Which concerns may indicate a need for stress testing?

The Cyrus Medical Office team might recommend stress testing if you have:

• Heart disease risk factors
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Racing or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness 
• Congestive heart failure
• Congenital heart disease
• Heart valve disease
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Genetic heart conditions
• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history of heart disease

You might also need a stress test if you have a high-risk occupation, such as being a professional athlete or a pilot. It’s a helpful test for people who have been diagnosed with a heart condition and need to determine how well their treatment is working.

How does stress testing work?

Stress testing makes your heart pump faster and harder during exercise. It measures your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, electrical activity, and heart function while doing something active versus resting. 

What can I expect during stress testing?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes when you arrive at Cyrus Medical Office for a stress test. Follow any pre-testing instructions, such as avoiding caffeine, smoking, and certain medications. If you use a glucose monitor, bring it with you.

Stress testing often lasts about 10-15 minutes. During the test, your provider checks your vital signs and attaches sticky electrodes to your chest and arms. 

You’ll ride a bike or walk on a treadmill at an easy pace, followed by an increased intensity while your specialist evaluates your heart function.

If you can’t exercise, you might receive medications that stimulate the effects of exercise on your body.

What happens after stress testing?

After stress testing, your specialist discusses the results and lets you know if you’re a candidate for other diagnostic tests, such as a stress echocardiogram. 

They might recommend you begin treatment, make lifestyle changes, or alter your current treatment plan. The Cyrus Medical Office team follows up to ensure effective, lasting results.

Schedule an appointment at Cyrus Medical Office by phone or online today to determine whether stress testing is right for you.