Cardiac Stress Test

Sometimes, the heart only shows signs of strain when it's working harder than usual. That's where a cardiac stress test at Parkview Cardiology PLLC in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, comes in. Kedar Sankholkar, MD, MS, FACC, offers treadmill stress testing to help detect heart conditions early and guide the best course of care. Call the office or book an appointment online to schedule your cardiac stress test. 

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test measures how well the heart functions during physical activity or under simulated stress. It usually involves walking on a treadmill. 

The goal is to see how the heart responds when it has to work harder, which can help identify reduced blood flow, rhythm irregularities, or other signs of cardiovascular disease.

Who should get a cardiac stress test?

Dr. Sankholkar may recommend a cardiac stress test for patients who have symptoms, such as:

• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Chronic fatigue
• Race prep

In addition, cardiac stress tests can help evaluate the effectiveness of medication, explore abnormal EKG results, or determine the level of exercise that's safe for a patient with heart problems.

Cardiac stress tests can be a powerful preventive cardiology measure. They can help screen for coronary artery disease before a cardiac event occurs, especially in patients with risk factors like family history, high blood pressure or diabetes.

What types of stress tests are available?

There are two main types of stress tests:

Exercise electrocardiogram (EKG)

For an exercise EKG, small electrodes affixed to the chest, legs, and arms track heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill. It can detect irregular heartbeats, heart conduction problems, and ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart).

Stress echocardiogram

A stress echocardiogram is an imaging test to show the heart's structure and function. It can show heart wall movement, pumping strength, valve function, heart chamber size and shape, and blood flow patterns. A stress echocardiogram can detect coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart muscle weakness.

It involves ultrasound imaging before and after exercise.

If you can't exercise safely, you may need a medication test. With this option, a drug helps open the coronary arteries or increases the heart rate before the EKG or echocardiogram, which simulates the effects of exertion on the heart.

What happens after my cardiac stress test?

Parkview Cardiology PLLC performs treadmill stress tests on site with Dr. Sankholkar. He carefully evaluates your results, explains their meaning, and discusses next steps with you, on the spot.

A cardiac stress test allows for earlier diagnosis and more efficient treatment, so don’t delay in scheduling one if you need it. 

Call the office or reach out online to schedule a cardiac stress test. Telemedicine visits are now available.