Stress test or ergometric test is a study used to diagnose heart artery disease (coronary artery disease).
This test is performed in a conditioned place with a treadmill or an exercise bike and consists of subjecting the patient to a physical exercise of progressive intensity starting from a state of rest until reaching the maximum level of physical resistance and continuing the evaluation until complete post-exercise recovery.
For the stress test, electrodes are attached to the chest which are connected to conductive wires that carry the heart’s electrical activity signals to a device called an electrocardiograph, which is responsible for transforming these signals into a continuous graphic record that provides information on the behavior of the patient’s heart during the procedure. This study allows us to detect the presence of coronary artery disease in patients who have an electrocardiogram that may be normal at rest. In addition, it allows us to evaluate the behavior of blood pressure (pressor response) and heart rate (chronotropic response) to physical exercise; it is also useful to clarify the cause of some symptoms reported by the patient that occur in relation to physical activity.
This procedure can take about 40 minutes and requires a previous preparation by the patient according to some specifications given by the physician, taking into account the characteristics of the test and the patient’s clinical history.
- RecommendationsAttend 15 minutes before the assigned appointment time.
- You must have at least 2 hours.
- Present identification document (Civil Registration, Identity Card, Citizenship Card, Alien Registration Card or Passport), card of the health entity, medical order and / or authorization.
- Present: medical history, current medication prescription and tests previously performed.
- Bring the money corresponding to the value of the moderating fee or value of the particular appointment as appropriate.
- If the patient is a minor, over 60 years of age or has any special condition, he/she must be accompanied by one (1) companion.
- Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear (preferably sneakers).
- Suspend beta blockers 24 hours prior to the exam, if applicable. (See Medication List).
- Do not ingest caffeine, energizers, alcoholic beverages or smoke 24 hours prior to the exam.
- Eat only light food three hours prior to the test.
Do not use creams, talcum powder, oils, colognes, on the arms or chest area as this may interfere with the measurement. - It is important to inform the physician of the presence of a pacemaker if applicable.
- In men with a lot of hair, it is advisable to shave the chest area so that the electrocardiogram recording is of better quality.
When there is a cardiac disease such as:
- Acute myocardial infarction in the acute phase (less than 3 days of evolution.
- Unstable angina.
- Severe aortic stenosis, giving symptoms.
- Poorly controlled cardiac arrhythmia.
- Acute pericarditis.
- Acute myocarditis.
- Decompensated heart failure.
- Physical or psychological incapacity.
- Dissection of the aorta (or pathology of the aortic trunk).
In people with non-cardiac diseases such as:
- Severe anemia.
- Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Acute thrombophlebitis.
- Hip or knee problems, difficulty walking, or having any type of physical impediment that prevents you from performing the test.
- Overdose or intoxication by certain cardioactive drugs.
Generally, stress tests are safe, and complications are rare, however, as with any medical procedure, there is a risk of some type of complication, such as the following:
- Low blood pressure. Your blood pressure may drop during or immediately after exercise; you may feel nauseous, dizzy, or faint. The problem should go away after you stop exercising.
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias): Arrhythmias caused by a stress test usually go away soon after you finish exercising.
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction).although very rare, it is possible for a stress test to cause a heart attack.
- ACEBUTOLOL (SECTRAL).
- BETAXOLOL (BETOPTIC, KERLONE).
- BEVANTOLOL.
- BISOPROLOL (CONCOR, ZEBETA, CORBIS, ZIAC).
- CARTEOLOL (SOTALOL, LABETALOL, OCCUPRESS).
- CARVEDILOL (COREG, DILATREND, DUALTEN, FILTEN, CARVEDIL).
- CELIPROLOL (CARDEM).
- DILEVALOL (UNICARD).
- DILTIAZEM (DILACOR, CARDIZEM).
- ESMOLOL (CREVIMOL).
- ETHENOLOLOL.
- LABETALOL, BUCINDOLOLOL (TRANDRATE, BIASCOR).
- METHYPRANOLOL (OPTIPRANOLOL).
- METOPROLOL (BETOPROLOL, BETALOC, BETALOCZOC).
- NADOLOL (CORGARD).
- NEBIVOLOL (LOBIVON, SILOSTAR, NAVILA).
- NIPRADILOL (BUNAZOSIN).
- OXPRENOLOL (TRASICOR, TRASITENSIN).
- PRACTOLOL.
- PENBUTOLOL (LEVATOL).
- PINDOLOL.
- PROPRANOLOL (INDERAL, SINTASER).
- SOTALOL (BETAPACE).
- TERTALOLOL.
- TIMOLOL (TIMOPTIC).
- VERAPAMIL (ISOPTIN, CALAN).
- URAPIDIL (ELGADIL).
Informed Consent Informed Consent Stress Test