5 Symptoms That Warrant Exercise Stress Testing

Any symptoms that signal a heart problem are worrisome, but when do you need an exercise stress test? Learn five common symptoms that signal a stress test is the next step in cardiac care.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, and other cardiac symptoms can be serious. Immediate evaluation is essential to find the cause.

An exercise stress test is a safe, supportive test we offer at the Heart Clinic of Hammond in Amite and Hammond, Louisiana.

Dr. Ghiath Mikdadi and Dr. Farid Zayed perform exercise stress tests, nuclear stress tests, and electrocardiograms to determine the cause of heart symptoms.

Cardiac symptoms that require testing

Heart symptoms matter, but not all indicate major issues. Know which symptoms warrant evaluation.

If you or someone you love has any of the following five symptoms, it’s crucial to seek an evaluation:

1. Chest pain

Chest pain can range from mild to severe and may feel like burning, tightness, or pressure. It can worsen with emotional or physical stress and get better with rest. Chest pain accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as issues breathing, is an emergency.

2. Unusual fatigue

Everyone feels tired at times, but if you suddenly feel much more tired than normal, it could be a sign of a heart problem. It's especially concerning if tiredness occurs alongside other symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat or trouble breathing.

3. Shortness of breath

Heart problems that reduce blood flow and cause the heart to function poorly can create trouble breathing. With heart failure, fluid can build up in the lungs and make it hard to breathe deeply.

4. Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness accompanied by other symptoms may indicate cardiac arrhythmia or heart failure. It’s especially concerning, along with fainting.

5. Palpitations

Heart palpitations may indicate a heart rhythm problem that needs treatment. Palpitations can feel like fluttering or skipping in your chest, often with trouble breathing or other symptoms.

How does an exercise stress test work?

Experiencing any of the above symptoms is a definite indication to have an exercise stress test. During your evaluation, we discuss the symptoms, including frequency, duration, and severity.

We then schedule your stress test to evaluate how these symptoms respond to physical activity.

We perform the stress test in our office. You should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers while we get you to ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill.

Before we begin the test, we take your resting heart rate and blood pressure. Electrodes are then placed on your chest that attach to a machine that we monitor during the procedure.

You begin riding the bike or walking on the treadmill as we monitor your cardiac symptoms and vital signs. For 10 to 15 minutes, we increase the intensity to see how your heart responds.

If you develop severe symptoms, we stop the test immediately. Our team evaluates the results to determine the next steps in treatment.

Contact the Heart Clinic of Hammond team in Hammond or Amite, Louisiana, today to discuss cardiac symptoms and an exercise stress test. You may also request an appointment with the team online.