A stress test, also
called an exercise stress test, shows how your heart works during physical
activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster, an exercise
stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within your heart.
A stress test usually
involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike your heart rhythm,
blood pressure and breathing are monitored. Or you'll receive a drug that
mimics the effects of exercise.
Your doctor may
recommend a stress test if you have signs or symptoms of coronary artery
disease or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The test may also guide
treatment decisions, measure the effectiveness of treatment or determine the
severity if you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition.