A cardiac stress test is a recording of the heart's activity
during exercise. The heart is monitored using electrodes to
record its electrical activity. Heart activity is also measured
by looking at changes in blood pressure and pulse during the
test. Reasons for Test During physical activity, your body needs
higher levels of oxygen. It gets oxygen from the blood. During
exercise, the heart has to work harder to get blood to your
organs. A cardiac stress test is used to see if your heart works
well, even when it is working hard. The test is most often done
to: - Evaluate whether complaints of chest pain are related to
your heart - Determine if arteries to your heart have blockages
or narrowing - Identify an irregular heart rhythm, or see if you
pass out during or after exercise - Monitor your heart's
response to treatment or procedures - Determine a safe level of
activity before the start of an exercise plan - Plan
rehabilitation after a heart attack Problems from the procedure
are rare, but all procedures ha