Concerned about the health of your heart?

With heart disease being the number one cause of death in both men and women worldwide, it’s important that you know how your heart is doing. Many people turn to our Rockville and Olney, MD, cardiologist Dr. Leith Abdulla, whether they are experiencing symptoms, have a family history of heart disease, or simply want to protect their heart health. Wondering if a stress test could provide you with the answers you need regarding the health of your heart?

What is a stress test?

A stress test involves hooking a patient up to an ECG monitor, which measures the electrical activity of the heart and having them walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. Our Rockville and Olney, MD, cardiologist will also monitor your breathing and blood pressure during exercise. The exercise portion of this test is fairly fast, taking only about 10-15 minutes.

What do stress test results show?

This test tells our team how well your heart functions under stress (aka exercise) when more blood has to be pumped from the heart. A stress test can show us,

• Normal blood flow at rest and during exercise
• Low blood flow during exercise but normal blood flow at rest which may suggest a blocked artery
• Low blood flow during both rest and exercise may suggest coronary artery disease

If your stress test results are abnormal our cardiologist will most likely recommend additional testing to determine what’s going on.

When should I consider a stress test?

If you are showing symptoms of coronary artery disease or arrhythmia, then our Rockville and Olney, MD, cardiologist may recommend getting a stress test. You should always come in for a consultation if you are experiencing any of these symptoms,

• Chest pain or discomfort, particularly with activity
• Shortness of breath
• Easily fatigued, especially after exercise
• Leg swelling
• Nausea
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat

Sometimes a stress test is also needed before heart surgery or to determine if current treatments to manage certain cardiac issues are effective, or if you’re about to start a new exercise routine.

If you have questions about your upcoming stress test, or you want to find out if a stress test is right for you and the symptoms you’re experiencing, our Rockville and Olney, MD, cardiologist Dr. Abdulla can sit down with you to discuss what testing you may need. To schedule an appointment, call URUK, LLC at (301) 774-5260.