Stress Test

Exercise Stress Test

An exercise stress test is used to measure the heart’s tolerance for exercise and detect different forms of heart disease. This test usually combines some form of physical exercise with an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure the heart’s activity at rest and while working. The exam is noninvasive, generally safe and painless. 

Thallium Stress Test

Unlike the exercise stress test, during a thallium stress test, a small amount of a radioactive substance called thallium is injected into the bloodstream when the patient reaches his or her maximum level of exercise. This exam shows the physician how well blood flows to the heart muscle. 

A physician may recommend an exercise/thallium stress test for the following reasons:

• Atherosclerosis
• Cardiac ischemia
• Arrhythmias
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Safe level of exercise
• Screen for coronary artery disease
• Heart failure/Heart transplant patients
• Balloon angioplasty
• Risk/occurrence of a heart attack

Prep Instructions:

Nothing by mouth after midnight

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

No blood pressure/heart medications 24 hours prior to exam

No smoking/caffeine

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