ECG Exercise is a cardiac stress test (or cardiac diagnostic test) that measures a heart's ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment.
Why should I do it ?
- This test can be used to diagnose coronary artery disease (also known as ischemic heart disease) and assess patient prognosis after a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Any preparations needed?
- You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for two hours or more before an exercise stress test.
- Ask your doctor if you should avoid caffeine or certain medications the day before the test, because they can interfere with certain stress tests. Otherwise, you can take your medications as usual.
- If you use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems, bring it with you to the test.
- Make sure your doctor and the health care team member monitoring your stress test know that you use an inhaler.
- Wear or bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes to the exercise stress test.
