Stress Testing

If you have shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or other heart issues and need stress testing, rely on the Cardiovascular Clinic of Arizona in Tempe, Arizona. Board-certified cardiologist Thaslim Kassim, MD, FACC, offers this service to diagnose and treat heart issues to reduce the risk of severe complications. Schedule stress testing by phone or book an evaluation online today.

What is stress testing?

Stress testing at the Cardiovascular Clinic of Arizona involves diagnostic tests that determine how well your heart functions when it’s pumping hard. This test evaluates your heart’s function while you exercise on a stationary bike or treadmill. If you’re unable to exercise, medications can make your heart work harder to mimic the effects of exercise during stress testing.

Why is stress testing performed?

Stress testing evaluates:

• How well the heart works during exercise
• Blood flow in the heart
• Blood pressure
• The rhythm and rate of your heartbeat
• The strength of electrical signals controlling your heartbeat
• Images of your heart at rest and during exercise

Stress testing can detect coronary artery disease (CAD), heart arrhythmias, heart failure, the cause of chest pain, heart valve diseases, and heart muscle disorders. 

Stress tests help guide treatment decisions. They allow Dr. Kassim to determine how serious a heart condition is or how well a heart disease treatment is working.

Who is a candidate for stress testing?

You may be a candidate for stress testing if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition or have symptoms of one. Such symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fluttering in the chest

Dr. Kassim might recommend stress testing if you have new or worsening symptoms, are scheduled for surgery, plan to begin an exercise program, have a high risk of heart disease, or are currently undergoing treatment for heart disease.

What happens during stress testing?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for stress testing. You might need to stop taking certain medications, avoid smoking and caffeine, and fast before your test. 

During stress testing, your provider places a blood pressure cuff on your arm and electrodes on your body. If you’re unable to exercise, you receive intravenous (IV) medication through a vein in your arm to make your heart work harder.

If you can exercise, you might ride a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill, gradually increasing your workout intensity for about 10-15 minutes until you achieve a target heart rate or develop chest pain or other symptoms. 

Your heart specialist monitors you during and after stress testing. They may take pictures of your heart during the test and monitor your vital signs. Some stress tests involve injecting a dye into your veins to make images appear clearer. 

Dr. Kassim discusses stress testing results to determine if your current treatment is working effectively or if you’re a candidate to begin a new treatment. 

Schedule stress testing at the Cardiovascular Clinic of Arizona by phone or request an appointment online today.