An exercise stress test is a general screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. The test gives a general sense of how healthy your heart is.

During the test, the electrical activity of the heart is measured while you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle. This measures the heart's reaction to your body's increased demand for oxygen. (See also sestamibi and thallium stress tests.)

You will walk or pedal on an exercise machine. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to record the activity of your heart and blood pressure readings are taken. The response of the heart to this increased workload is monitored.

The test continues until you reach a target heart rate, unless complications such as chest pain or an exaggerated rise in blood pressure develop with activity. Monitoring continues after exercise for 10 - 15 minutes, or until the heart rate returns to baseline.

• Do not eat, smoke, or drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol for 3 hours before the test.
• Continue all medications unless instructed otherwise.
• Wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing to permit exercise.

Tell your doctor if you are taking sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and have taken a dose within the past 24 hours. A medication called nitroglycerin, which is sometimes given during a stress test to relieve chest pain, should not be given to a person who has recently taken Viagra, because it can cause a serious drop in blood pressure.

Electrodes (conductive patches) will be placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the heart's activity. The preparation of the electrode sites on your chest may produce a mild burning or stinging sensation.

The blood pressure cuff on your arm will be inflated every few minutes, producing a squeezing sensation that may feel tight. Baseline measurements of heart rate and blood pressure will be taken before exercise starts.

You will start walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. The pace of the treadmill will be increased.

Rarely, people may experience chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath during the test.

A stress test is performed to determine causes of chest pain, to determine the exercise capacity of the heart , to determine appropriate exercise levels in those initiating an exercise program, and to identify rhythm disturbances during exercise. There may be additional reasons for your health care provider to request this test.