Stress Testing

Stress testing is a diagnostic cardiology test that evaluates heart function when it’s pumping hard. At Desert Cardiovascular Consultants in Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced cardiovascular specialist Zia Khan, MD, FACC, FSCAI, offers treadmill and pharmacological stress testing. Call the office today or click the online booking button to learn more about stress testing at the cardiology practice.

Why do I need stress testing?

You may need stress testing if Dr. Khan or your primary care provider has concerns about heart health and other tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG) fail to provide conclusive information. 

The purpose of the stress test is to see how well your heart functions when it’s pumping harder, making it easier to find heart problems, such as:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
• Heart failure
• Heart valvular disease
• Cardiomyopathy

Health care providers also do stress testing to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment and to determine whether you might need heart surgery. 

Do I have to run on a treadmill for stress testing?

Not everyone who needs stress testing has to run on a treadmill (or ride a bicycle) to get their heart pumping harder. Desert Cardiovascular Consultants offers exercise and pharmacological stress testing:

Exercise stress testing

For exercise stress testing, you increase your heart rate by running on a treadmill. You start out walking, and your provider slowly increases the treadmill’s speed. You continue to exercise until your heart reaches a set rate or you experience chest pain or shortness of breath.

Pharmacological stress testing

Pharmacological stress testing uses medication to increase your heart rate. Dr. Khan may recommend this stress test if you’re unable to exercise. 

For pharmacological stress testing, your provider administers medication through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. The medication increases your heartbeat rate for up to 20 minutes so your provider can gather the information they need to evaluate your heart.

What happens during stress testing?

Dr. Khan discusses the details of your stress test at your consultation so you know what to expect. They request that you come to the office dressed in comfortable clothing.

They review your medical history and take your blood pressure. Then, they place electrodes on your chest that connect to an EKG to monitor the electrical activity of your heart during the test. 

Stress testing takes about 30 minutes.

What can I expect after stress testing?

Dr. Khan schedules a follow-up visit to discuss your stress test findings and treatments. You can resume your normal day after the test unless otherwise directed.

Call Desert Cardiovascular Consultants today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about stress testing.