John VorhausDid you know that a stress test can be used to determine the wellbeing of your heart, particularly when you are under physical stress? While heart problems are easy to detect when your heart is trying to pump blood throughout your body, it can still be daunting to determine its condition unless you go for stress testing in Philadelphia. In doing so, heat problems including ischemic heart disease, cardiac failure, or heart valve disease can easily be diagnosed so that an appropriate medical plan can be tailored for you. Read on to find out why this diagnostic procedure will help you.
The team at Corrielus Cardiology consists of board-certified cardiologists and other medical practitioners dedicated to providing top-notch heart care in Philadelphia and other areas surrounding it.
What to expect during a stress testing procedure
If you are having trouble keeping up with physical exercises, chances are your heart could be struggling to pump blood from the heart to other parts of your body. Your physician may refer you to a cardiologist to conduct a stress test to determine whether your heart can normally handle its functions.
During a stress test, the image reflects a person having an exercise stress test. Your cardiologist will attach electrodes to your chest and link it to an electrocardiogram machine. It will note down your heart’s electrical activity. You will be required to walk on a treadmill or use a stationary bicycle after the blood pressure cuff registers your blood. That way, your cardiologist can determine whether your heart is at risk of contracting diseases that prevent it from functioning as it should.
Your doctor may warn you against taking prescription medicines or specific beverages 24 hours before the test to get the best results. You may also be required to wear clothes and shoes that fit loosely. After the stress test, your doctor will take images to see how the blood is flowing through your heart. It also aims at determining how your heart pumps blood at every beat. In some cases your doctor may ask you to put on a mask or mouthpiece to see how your lungs are functioning.
What happens after the stress test?
After the stress test, your doctor will gauge your heart activity and blood pressure to ensure that both results are restored within the normal range. That indicates that it is okay for you to resume your normal activities immediately. In the case of a radioactive dye, your doctor may recommend that you take enough fluids to eliminate it out of your system.
If the stress test reveals a healthy heart, you may not be required to repeat testing or treatment. Other diagnostic procedures may be recommended to determine whether there is a pre existing heart condition.
Stress testing can save your life
Unless you have chest pain symptoms, you may not be a perfect candidate for stress testing. But if you feel something is amiss about how your heart works, it would be best to go for this procedure. For more information on how the stress testing works, consult your cardiologist today.