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Stress Testing

Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston

Cardiologists located in Houston, TX & Cypress, TX

When you or your primary care provider have concerns about heart health, you may benefit from stress testing. The diagnostic cardiac test shows how well your heart works when it’s pumping faster. The cardiologists at Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston, with offices in Houston and North Cypress, Texas, perform many types of stress testing to help you get the answers you need. To schedule an evaluation, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

Stress Testing Q & A

What is stress testing?

Stress testing is a diagnostic test that evaluates the structure and function of your heart when pumping at a faster rate. The purpose of the test is to evaluate how your heart works during physical activity, which may make it easier to diagnose a heart condition.

The Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston is a state-of-the-art practice that offers a full spectrum of clinical cardiac services, including stress testing. 

Who needs stress testing?

Your primary care provider or cardiologist at Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston determines if you need stress testing. They may recommend stress testing if you have symptoms that indicate heart disease, but the results of your electrocardiogram (EKG) are normal.

In addition to diagnosing heart conditions, your provider may also recommend stress testing to evaluate the effectiveness of your heart disease treatment plan. 

What are the types of stressing testing?

Devoted to optimizing patient outcomes, the Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston performs many types of stress testing:

Treadmill stress test

The treadmill stress test is usually the first stress test. During the test, you walk on a treadmill. Your provider slowly increases the intensity of the workout while monitoring cardiac function on an EKG.

You continue to exercise until your heart rate reaches a target rate, you start to experience chest pain, or your EKG suggests your heart isn’t getting enough blood.

Dobutamine or adenosine stress test

If you’re unable to exercise, Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston offers the dobutamine or adenosine stress test. During the test, you’re given a drug (dobutamine or adenosine) that increases your heart rate without the need to exercise. 

Nuclear stress test

The nuclear stress test helps determine the parts of your heart that are functioning normally and the parts that are not. 

During the test, your provider injects a small amount of radioactive substance and then uses a special camera to identify the rays emitted by the substance in your body. The substance and camera produce clear pictures of your heart tissue on a monitor. 

Your provider takes pictures of your heart when at rest and after exercising. 

Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston offers the Lexiscan® nuclear stress test and the exercise nuclear scan. To minimize radiation exposure and produce better imaging, the Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston also offers nuclear PET scan testing. 

Stress echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that evaluates the movement of your heart. During a stress echocardiogram, your provider uses ultrasound imaging to assess heart function when it’s pumping harder and faster. 

To schedule your stress testing, call Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston, or book an appointment online today. 

 

Click below to learn more about how the Heart Care Center of Northwest Houston can help care for you and your cardiac needs

 

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