Almost everyone fears diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease — for good reason. But did you know you’re more likely to die from heart disease than any other reason? More than half of adults in the United States don’t know this fact. Nevertheless, for the last 100 years, cardiovascular disease has been the No. 1 cause of death in the US.
Many people have no idea that they’re at risk for a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack. Almost 50% of US adults have high blood pressure, yet 38% of them don’t know they have this risk factor for heart disease.
If you have chest pain, heart symptoms, trouble breathing, or a history of cardiovascular disease in your past or in your family, you may benefit from stress testing. Cardiologists use stress tests to evaluate your heart health.
At Laurelton Heart Specialists, renowned cardiologist Dr. Ola Akinboboye may recommend stress testing based on your personal or family history, or your current symptoms. He and our team administer both traditional stress tests and nuclear stress tests in the comfort of our office in Rosedale, Queens, in New York City.
Would you benefit from a stress test?
A stress test evaluates how well your heart performs when it’s beating faster than normal. If you’re in a high-stress occupation, you may need a stress test to be sure you can withstand the pressures and requirements of the job.
Examples include:
Both physical and emotional stress can raise your heart rate. A stress test either shows your cardiologist that your heart’s strong enough to withstand the stress, or identifies weaknesses that may need to be addressed medically.
Dr. Akinboboye may order a stress test if you present with chest pain or other symptoms that could indicate that your heart isn’t functioning as well as it should.
Symptoms that may prompt the need for a stress test include:
You may also need a stress test if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. Underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, may raise your risk for cardiovascular disease.
You may wish to have a stress test if you worry about cardiovascular disease due to your family history. A stress can tell Dr. Akinboboye if you have a serious condition, such as:
The earlier we find evidence of cardiovascular impairment, the sooner Dr. Akinboboye can design a customized treatment plan. We may also use a stress test to see how well your heart medications are working and to make modifications, if necessary.
We may ask you to avoid certain supplements or medications before your stress test, based on your medical history. However, don’t discontinue any medications without our approval.
You shouldn’t eat, smoke, or drink anything but water for a few hours before the test. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and sports shoes.
On test day, we apply electrodes to your chest and arms. If you’re a man, we may shave your chest first. We then attach the wires to an electrocardiography (EKG) device, which translates the electrical activity in your heart into waveforms. We may also ask you to breathe into a mouthpiece that measures your exhalations.
During the stress portion of the test, we raise your heart rate and measure the difference between your stress response and your at-rest response. If you can’t exercise, we can raise your heart rate with medication.
If you can exercise, we direct you to a treadmill or stationary bike. We may increase the speed and inclination to make the exercise harder. You exercise for about 10-15 minutes and then breathe into the tube again.
After the test, we wait until your heart slows and take measurements once more. If we suspect structural problems in your heart, we may conduct a nuclear stress test.
In a nuclear stress test, we inject radioactive dye into your bloodstream, and then use X-rays to visualize and analyze the flow of blood through your heart. A stress test appointment can take up to three hours, depending on the steps involved.
Once Dr. Akinboboye analyzes your results, he either gives you an all-clear or he recommends further tests or treatment. You may need to make lifestyle changes, take medications, or undergo surgery to improve your heart health.
Are you worried about or want to know about your heart health? Call our expert team at 718-208-4816 for a stress test or use our online outreach form today.
