Cardiac Stress Test
A cardiac stress test shows how well your heart works when it has to work harder. While you exercise on a treadmill — or are given a medicine that mimics exercise — your heart's rhythm, blood pressure and, in some versions, its images or blood flow are monitored to detect coronary artery disease and guide treatment.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
A stress test reveals problems that may only appear when the heart is working hard. Several types are used: an exercise ECG records the heart's electrical activity during treadmill walking; a stress echocardiogram adds ultrasound images before and after stress; and a nuclear myocardial perfusion scan (SPECT or PET) uses a small tracer to show blood flow to the heart muscle. When someone cannot exercise, a medicine is given to stress the heart instead. The results show exercise capacity, signs of reduced blood supply (ischemia) and overall risk, and help decide whether a coronary angiogram or treatment is needed.
International patients can have testing arranged efficiently and receive a clear report; existing tests done abroad can be reviewed remotely as part of a second opinion.
Who is a candidate?
- Chest pain or suspected angina
- Assessment of known coronary artery disease
- Before certain types of surgery
- After a heart procedure, to check the result
- Unexplained breathlessness or to measure exercise capacity
What happens
- 1
Preparation
You may be asked to avoid caffeine and to pause certain heart medicines beforehand; wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking.
- 2
During the test
Electrodes are attached and you walk on a treadmill that gradually gets harder while your heart is monitored. For a stress echo or nuclear scan, imaging is added; if you cannot exercise, a medicine is used to stress the heart.
- 3
Afterwards & results
You are monitored as your heart returns to rest. A cardiologist interprets the result, often the same day, and advises on next steps.
Benefits
- Non-invasive way to detect flow-limiting coronary disease
- Measures your exercise capacity and symptoms under load
- Helps decide whether an angiogram is needed
- Several test types to suit different patients
- Guides treatment after a heart event or procedure
Risks & considerations
- Stress testing is generally safe and closely monitored
- Rarely, the test can bring on an irregular heartbeat or chest pain, managed on the spot
- A nuclear scan uses a small, safe dose of a radioactive tracer
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Heart Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Cardiac Stress Test — frequently asked questions
It depends on your situation — an exercise ECG, a stress echocardiogram or a nuclear perfusion scan, and whether you can exercise or need a medication-based test. Your cardiologist will advise.
No. You may feel tired or breathless from the exercise, which is expected, and you are monitored throughout.
Sometimes certain heart medicines or caffeine are paused beforehand — you will be given specific instructions.
A stress test is non-invasive and shows whether the heart lacks blood flow under load; an angiogram is an invasive test that directly images the coronary arteries, often done if the stress test is abnormal.
Your coordinator gives a transparent, itemized estimate before the test.
Related treatments
Considering cardiac stress test?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.