A visit to the cardiologist can be scary. But living with a heart condition undetected until it presents itself with jolting symptoms is dangerous. That’s the unfortunate truth of most cardiac ailments. They don’t always show the expected symptoms like chest pain. Rather they hinder one’s daily activity slowly and seemingly natural with age, that most people fail to get help until it’s too late. Hence, cardiologists utilize various diagnostic tests and screenings to read heart health and pick up on minor fluctuations before they exacerbate. One of such tests is a stress test.

What is a Stress Test?

A Treadmill Test (TMT) or Stress Test is a form of diagnostic test which involves a patient performing an exercise in a controlled environment while they’re undergoing an Electro Cardiogram (ECG). As the name suggests, the exercise involved is walking on a treadmill at a levelled pace and slope. The aim of the test is to compare blood circulation in the heart when the person is resting and when exerting some physical pressure on their body. 

Abnormal heart rhythms can indicate blockages in the arteries, which are best treated when caught early. It is known to diagnose heart problems such as ischemic heart disease, heart valve disease, or even heart failure. A TMT or Stress test is normally recommended to patients with a family history of heart conditions, or who have symptoms of a heart problem, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or heart palpitations.

Benefits of a Stress Test

The results of the test will vary greatly on the presenting problem and the known condition of the patient’s heart. Depending on the given factors, a TMT can yield the following benefits:

• It can help determine the size of the heart chambers.
• It can produce a clear picture of how well the heart is pumping blood.
• It can indicate if there is any blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries that provide blood to the heart.
• It can be used to measure the effectiveness of any cardiac treatment the patient may be undergoing.

A stress test administered under expert technicians can help your doctor come up with an effective treatment plan to contain your condition before it worsens. When it comes to heart health, the sooner one knows about any malfunctions, the better they can be prepared for a fight against it.

So, if you’re experiencing any discomforts concerning your heart, consult your physician at the earliest. To know more about the stress test and the risks involved, reach out to our specialists at Tricity Healthcare.