Stress Testing

Sometimes heart problems can best be seen when the heart is working harder than normal, such as when you exercise vigorously. For that reason, your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram when you run on a treadmill. This test is sometimes called a “stress test” or a “treadmill test.”

As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show how well blood is flowing through and around the heart.

Your Mercy physician may recommend an exercise stress test to:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease
• Diagnose a possible heart-related cause of symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or lightheadedness
• Determine a safe level of exercise
• Predict the risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as a heart attack

Working with the most advanced technology and equipment, our heart specialists we’ll do everything possible to keep your heart healthy, so you can keep doing all the things you love.