Heart disease is extremely difficult to deal with, especially if treatment doesn’t begin as soon as possible. It’s important that you talk to your cardiologist to determine if you might be at risk for heart disease. The best way to test for heart disease is through a stress test. Your cardiologist at NOVA Cardiovascular Care in Woodbridge and Stafford, VA, can help you understand when a stress test is needed and why it is so important.
When to get a Stress Test
Your cardiologist in Woodbridge and Stafford, VA, will first sit with you and determine your risk of heart disease. If you have a family history or have other factors that may lead to you having heart disease, they will want to schedule a stress test as soon as possible to find out if you’re dealing with heart disease and how it can be managed.
During a physical stress test, you’ll either be on a treadmill or stationary bike and hooked up to an EKG to monitor your heart. It will first get a baseline from before you exercise, as you’re active, and once you’re done.
Each phase of this test lasts about three minutes, and your doctor will increase the resistance or speed. The test will continue until you reach your maximum heart rate or when there are any symptoms of stress on the heart or lungs. This can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and depends on each person. You should be able to get your results back within a few days and you can sit with your cardiologist to discuss your next steps.
Contact Your Cardiologist Today!
If you have a family history of heart disease or are at an increased risk, be sure to contact your cardiologist as soon as possible. Contact your cardiologist at Nova Cardiovascular Care in Woodbridge and Stafford, VA, to find out if a stress test is necessary. Contact for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (703) 492-6822 for the office in Woodbridge, VA, and (540) 628-2173 for the office in Stafford, VA.