Keep Your Heart in Shape with a Stress Test at Riverview Health in Noblesville, IN

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If you think you're having symptoms of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately by calling 911. Learn the symptoms of a heart attack in men and women.

A stress test is an evaluation to measure how well your heart functions during exercise. Stress testing shows how much exercise your heart can handle before having symptoms of a heart problem.

Why a Stress Test Is Performed

Your doctor may recommend a stress test in order to evaluate symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, which are two symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD). A stress test may be performed to monitor your heart after a heart attack or heart surgery (like a heart transplant or heart bypass surgery).

Stress testing can help doctors diagnose and monitor the following heart conditions:

Cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal or irregular heartbeats)
Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
Coronary artery disease
Heart birth defects
Heart failure
Heart valve disease
Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)

What to Expect from a Stress Test in Noblesville

At Riverview Health, a doctor, nurse or technician will perform your stress test by placing electrodes on your chest, arms and legs, as well as a blood pressure cuff on your arm. You’ll then perform some physically strenuous activities, such as walking or running on a treadmill, to increase your heart rate and measure your heart activity.

The Results of a Stress Test

Once your test is complete, your cardiologist will go over the results with you to determine the best course of action. Results may include:

  • Low blood flow during rest and exercise could indicate CAD or damage from a heart attack
  • Normal blood flow and function during rest, but not exercise, could indicate CAD or another heart condition
  • Normal blood flow and function during rest and exercise, suggesting you may not need any further testing or treatment

To receive the care you need, start by finding a primary care physician at Riverview Health by calling 317.565.0525 or by completing our online form.

Riverview Health evaluates and treats a wide array of heart conditions for people living in Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Sheridan and Westfield, IN.