The Stress Lab at Heart & Vascular Specialists DFW provides advanced cardiac stress testing to evaluate how your heart performs during physical activity. Stress testing helps identify coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, and exercise-related symptoms that may not appear at rest.
All stress tests are performed under close medical supervision in a safe, controlled environment.
This test monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG while you walk on a treadmill. It helps assess exercise tolerance and detect heart rhythm abnormalities or signs of reduced blood flow to the heart.
A stress echocardiogram combines treadmill exercise with ultrasound imaging of the heart. Images are taken before and immediately after exercise to evaluate heart muscle function and identify areas with poor blood flow.
A nuclear stress test uses a small amount of radioactive tracer and specialized imaging to assess blood flow to the heart at rest and during stress. This test is often recommended for patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.
This test can also be performed on patients who are physically unable to exercise.
Stress testing may be recommended if you have:
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Abnormal EKG findings
Suspected or known coronary artery disease
Reduced exercise tolerance
Pre-operative cardiac evaluation needs
Your cardiologist will determine which stress test is most appropriate based on your symptoms and medical history.
Stress testing may help diagnose or evaluate:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Blocked or narrowed heart arteries
Exercise-induced chest pain (angina)
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Shortness of breath related to heart disease
Decreased blood flow to the heart muscle
Heart function after a heart attack or cardiac procedure
While the exact process depends on the test type, most stress tests follow these steps:
Electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm
Baseline heart rate and blood pressure are recorded
You’ll walk on a treadmill with gradually increasing intensity
Heart activity is closely monitored throughout the test
Imaging may be performed before and/or after exercise, if required
Most tests take 30–90 minutes, including preparation and recovery time.
To help ensure accurate results, your care team may recommend:
Wearing comfortable clothing and walking shoes
Avoiding food, caffeine, or smoking for several hours before the test
Following instructions regarding heart medications
Bringing a list of current medications
Specific preparation instructions will be provided before your appointment.
