Stress Testing is designed to evaluate the function of your heart, lungs and blood vessels, especially the coronary (heart) arteries. Before the stress test, a physician experienced in stress testing will screen you and a resting electrocardiogram will be recorded. The patient will then be asked to walk faster and faster on a treadmill until the amounts of fatigue, breathlessness, chest pain and/or other symptoms are too much for the patient and he/she feels they should stop.

      During the test the patient's blood pressure, pulse and electrocardiogram will be monitored. In some instances, blood may be drawn for testing. Benefits of testing include but are not limited to learning how much exercise one can safely do and determining if there are any problems with ones heart.

      The knowledge gained from the stress test allows a better diagnosis of patient's medical conditions and makes more accurate treatment and prognosis possible.