There are several different types of stress tests.
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Treadmill exercise stress test
This requires the patient to exercise on a treadmill. Presence of absence of problems with blood flow is determined by monitoring the patient’s EKG. -
Exercise Nuclear stress test
This consists of the patient exercising on a treadmill in addition to which nuclear material is injected through an IV to visualize the relative blood flow to various parts of the heart. -
Chemical Nuclear stress test
This is different from a Exercise Nuclear Stress test on that the patient does not walk on a treadmill. Instead, a number of different chemical agents can be used to simulate the relative effects of exercise on the heart. -
Exercise Stress Echo
This test requires the patient to exercise on a treadmill. Echocardiogram is used to compare the movement of various segments of the heart muscle before and after exercise. Presence of certain changes may be suggestive of significant blockages in the blood vessels to the heart. -
Chemical Stress Echo
This similar to an Exercise Stress Echo, except that instead of the patient walking on the treadmill an intravenously administered drug is used to simulate the relative effects of exercise on the heart.