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Exercise Stress Test



 Submitted by Nic on August 13, 2011
The term exercise stress test is used to define a test which checks the response of the heart to exercise and strain. The heart is a dynamic organ that functions based on the requirements of the individual’s body. If the body is under stress, the heart will pump harder. This is because the parts of the body that are being exercised need more energy. In order to produce this energy, more blood needs to reach these parts of the body carrying oxygen and nutrients. Many heart defects only become visible or only occur when the heart is in this state of high speed beating. Thus, a cardiac exercise stress test is conducted to examine the heart when it is most likely to display any problems.

The exercise stress test interpretation determines the diagnosis and further treatment. The skill of the doctor is vital at this stage as certain abnormalities are only noticed by skilled personnel. This also entails that the exercise stress test results be shown to your doctor to be interpreted. Normal parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate are included in the exercise stress test report. The report may be more detailed if nuclear medicine testing or some sort of scanning has been included. You will have to follow the exercise stress test protocol as told to you by your doctor. The exercise stress test procedure begins with the individual’s heart being scanned when he or she is resting. Following this, the individual will be asked to walk on a treadmill. As the test progresses, the speed and inclination of the treadmill will be increased, thus putting a gradually increased strain on the individual’s body. During this process, the patient will be continuously asked to report any pain or discomfort felt in the chest or in the muscles of the legs. Emergency medical equipment will also be present in the clinic in case the patient suffers from a sudden cardiac episode during the exercise stress test.

The exercise stress test is a standard procedure that is conducted on thousands of patients across the world. It is normally recommended by doctors that individuals over the age of 40 undertake an exercise stress test on a yearly basis. This will ensure that any developing condition is taken care of before it becomes so serious that it threatens the life of the individual. One should even consult the doctor on the exercise stress test cpt code and other details of the test. As far as the exercise stress test cost goes, this varies greatly depending on the location of the individual. One may consult with one’s insurance company or with a family doctor to find out the cost of the exercise stress test and what coverage one would get.
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