How to Know When You Need a Stress Test From Your Physician

There are different types of stress tests, but the most common stress test is related to the cardiovascular area of the body. This type of stress test involves measuring the heart's ability to function when it is exerted through exercise, such as walking on a treadmill or riding a bicycle. It's not always easy to know when and if you should go to your physician to request a stress test.

Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment to see a doctor or certified heart specialist if you have symptoms of a heart problem. Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid heart beats (palpitations) or chest pain on the right or left side.

• 2

  Request a stress test if you have a family history of heart disease or heart failure. The doctor will ask a series of questions to help identify the problem and will likely conduct an exercise stress test, which involves placing electrodes on your arms, legs and chest to monitor your body while you exercise.

• 3

  Discuss with the doctor various stress tests that can be utilized. Ask the doctor to consider conducting a nuclear stress test, which is used to create a picture of the heart's tissue. If you are unable to exercise, ask about the Dobutamine or Adenosine stress tests, which require you to take a drug that will help your body to act as though it is exercising.

• 4

  Notify the doctor or heart specialist if you have recently had heart problems or started taking a new type of medication that may trigger heart problems.