What Are the Dangers of Stress Tests?

Doctors administer stress tests to patients to better diagnose heart problems and conditions. Stress tests cause the heart to work harder and beat faster. Some conditions can only be monitored when the heart is under direct physical stress.

History

• Stress tests are generally administered to diagnose coronary heart disease or to monitor the severity of a heart problem.

Function

• Stress tests are performed on a treadmill or stationary bicycle while the patient---connected to a heart-monitoring system---exercises.

Identification

• Chest pains, a lack of proper blood flow to the heart and shortness of breath may indicate you need a stress test of your heart.

Considerations

• If you have a medical condition that prevents you from exercising, you may be administered a pharmacological stress test. The doctor administers medication to make your heart work harder and faster in order to monitor it under duress.

Warning

• Heart attack or death may occur during a stress test, though this happens in only one in 5,000 patients.

Potential

• Common side effects of a stress test that are less serious include abnormal heartbeat and dizziness caused by low blood pressure; it can last several hours. Side effects from the pharmacological stress test can be wheezing or severe asthmatic symptoms.