A number of stress tests are utilized by the Center for Heart Failure Therapy. These include:
Exercise Stress Test (also referred to as Treadmill Test, Regular Exercise Test or Exercise Cardiac Stress Test):During this test, you will be connected to a heart monitor while walking on a treadmill. Information about your heart function is gathered through measurement of your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and heart rhythm findings, as well as how tired you become when exercising. This test can help diagnose coronary artery disease, provide information about symptoms such as chest pain, and determine a safe level of exercise.
Exercise Perfusion Stress Test (Exercise Thallium Stress Test):An exercise perfusion stress test is similar to an exercise stress test, except a perfusion test measures blood flow to your heart using small amounts of radioactive tracers. These tracers are safe and help provide an image of the blood flow to your heart during exercise (walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bicycle) and while at rest.
Stress Nuclear Perfusion Test (also called a Nuclear Stress Test):Like an Exercise Perfusion Stress Test, this test also uses special pictures of the heart to measure blood flow at rest and under stress. While an exercise perfusion stress test uses a treadmill or a stationary bicycle to stress your heart, this nuclear perfusion test stresses the heart with medication. The exercise response is achieved by giving you an intravenous drug to raise your heart rate, which mimics an exercise response. Once the target heart rate is achieved, a small dose of radioactive tracer (thallium or technetium) is injected to create the pictures.
Stress Echocardiography (also referred to as a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram):An echocardiogram ultrasound of your heart is performed at rest and with exercise. If you cannot exercise, an infusion of a medication through an intravenous (IV) line may be used to mimic exercise. You are closely monitored during this test, while information is obtained about your heart chambers and heart valve functioning.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test:A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test (CPX) determines how well your heart, lungs, and muscles respond to increasing levels of exercise. This test will tell your physician if you have a normal or abnormal response to exercise. Furthermore, this test can help your physician determine why you cannot tolerate higher levels of activity or exercise and to facilitate recommendations for a more tailored exercise program.