We’re Here for You! Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Pay My Bill
  • Patient Portal
  • Careers
  • Health Professionals
  • Medical Education
Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute

Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute

  • Providers & Locations
        • Providers

          • Find a Provider
        • Locations

          • Central Maine Medical Center
          • Bridgton Hospital
          • Rumford Hospital
          • Topsham Care Center
          • Maine Urgent Care
          • Find a Practice
  • Services
        • Services

          • Audiology
          • Bariatric Surgery
          • Behavioral Health
          • Breast Health
          • Cancer Care
          • Diabetes & Endocrinology
          • Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
          • Emergency Care
          • Gastroenterology
          • Heart & Vascular Care
          • Imaging Services
          • Integrative Medicine
          • Long-Term Care
          • Maternity Care
          • Neurosciences
          • Nutrition Services
          • Occupational Health
          • Orthopaedic Care
          • Palliative Care
          • Pediatrics
          • Pharmacy
          • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
          • Primary Care
          • Pulmonary Care
          • Rehabilitation & Therapy
          • Rheumatology
          • Sleep Medicine
          • Surgical Services
          • Topsham Care Center
          • Trauma Center
          • Urgent Care
          • Urology
          • Women’s Health
          • Wound Care
  • Patients & Visitors
        • Patients & Visitors

          • Health Library
          • Notary Public
          • Spiritual Support
          • Billing & Financial Information
          • Be Safe Speak Up
          • Student Nurses
          • Tobacco and Smoke Free Campuses
          • Your Rights and Responsibilities
          • myHealthlink Patient Portal
        • Living Well

          • Classes & Events
  • About Us
        • About Us

          • About Central Maine Healthcare
          • Board of Directors
          • Leadership Team
          • Mission, Vision & Values
          • Accreditations & Certifications
          • Community Benefits
          • ACO Public Reporting
          • CMH Alert – COVID-19
          • Vendor Relations
          • Contact CMH
          • Privacy Policy
          • Social Media Policy
        • Ways to Give

          • Ways to Give
          • Donate Now
          • Planned Giving
          • Events & Fundraisers
          • Donor Bill of Rights
          • Contact CMH Development
          • Volunteer
Stress Test
Home Diagnosis Stress Test

Stress Test

Otherwise known as an exercise test or treadmill test, a stress test demonstrates how well your heart performs under pressure. During physical activity, your body needs more oxygen than it does when it is at rest. In response, your heart needs to pump more blood. The stress test illustrates if an adequate amount of blood has been pumped to the arteries that supply your heart. This test will also help you and your doctor understand what kind of exercise is safe for your body.

Why Do You Need a Stress Test?

If you have symptoms of a heart complication, including chest pain, dizziness, irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath, your doctor may recommend a stress test. This test may help determine if you have a heart condition, such as:

  • Heart failure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Ischemic heart disease

Getting Ready for a Stress Test

Prior to your test:

  • Ask your doctor if there are any medications you should stop taking.
  • Do not drink beverages that contain caffeine, such as soda, coffee or tea, on the day of your test.
  • Wear comfortable clothing.

What to Expect During a Stress Test

When you arrive for your stress test, a healthcare provider will inject a radioactive substance into one of your veins. This substance will help your doctor see how well blood is flowing into your heart. For about 15 to 45 minutes, you will recline and relax while the substance travels to your heart.

The doctor will then put electrodes on your chest, a blood pressure cuff on your arm and a pulse monitor on your finger to monitor your blood pressure and heart activity while your body is at rest and as you start to move.

During the actual test, you will walk on a treadmill or pedal an exercise bike with increasing speed and intensity. You may also breathe into a tube for a few minutes as you exercise. Once the test is complete, you will rest while your results are evaluated.

Your doctor will evaluate several results, including your blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and your level of fatigue.

Primary Sidebar

Diagnosis

  • About Us
    • Arbor House
    • Awards and Accreditations
    • Mission
    • Patient Stories
    • Single Stay Inpatient Care Unit (SSU)
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Arrhythmia/Atrial Fibrillation
    • Coronary Artery Disease
    • Heart Attack
    • Heart Failure
    • Peripheral Artery Disease
    • Valve Disease
    • Vein Disorders
  • Contact Us
  • Diagnosis
    • Angioplasty
    • Ankle-brachial Index (ABI)
    • Cardiac Catheterization Lab
    • Cardiac MRI
    • Doppler Ultrasound
    • Echocardiogram
    • Holter Monitors
    • Stress Test
    • Vascular Lab
  • Education and Support
    • Glossary of Medical Terms
    • Heart-Healthy Recipes
  • Find Us
  • Home
  • Treatment and Specialties
    • Anticoagulation Management
    • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program
    • Cardiothoracic Surgery
    • Cardiovascular Surgery
    • Coronary Bypass Surgery
    • Electrophysiology
    • Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery
      • Aortic Valve Surgery
        • TAVR
      • Mitral Valve Surgery
        • Mitra Clips
    • Valve Repair/Replacement
    • Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
  • Why Choose Us?
Central Maine Healthcare Logo

About Our Health System

  • Central Maine Medical Center
  • Bridgton Hospital
  • Rumford Hospital
  • Topsham Care Center
  • Physician Practices

I Want To…

  • Find A Provider
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Job
  • Pay My Bill
  • Make a Gift
  • Find a Class or Event
  • Contact CMH
  • CMH News

For Our Community

  • CMH Privacy Policy
  • Social Media Policy for Site Visitors
  • Interpreter Services & Assistive Devices
  • Non-Discrimination Notice
  • Your Rights & Responsibilities

For Healthcare Professionals

  • Join Our Team
  • Graduate Medical Education

For Employees

  • Employee Portal
  • Employee Remote Access