EKG Machine Stress Tests

In 1929, a man by the name of Arthur Master conducted the first cardiac stress test at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Today, EKG machines are being used in hospitals and clinical environments throughout the world to measure stress and diagnose heart disease and how severe it may be. EKG machine tests are able to detect heart problems that may not be apparent while the heart is not under pressure to perform.

Patients are asked to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing along with running or exercise shoes. Commonly, patients are required to participate in a warm up exercise routine prior to testing to help prevent cramping. Using EKG machines a Cardiologist and a technician conduct the test which monitors blood pressure while electrodes are attached to various areas on the patient’s chest. The EKG machine monitors heart rhythms to determine if it is steady or irregular.

While hooked up to the EKG machine, the patient either rides a stationary bike or walks on a treadmill. The test is able to monitor blood pressure, oxygen flow, and the heart rate of the patient. During the test, the physical exercise is progressively made more difficult which requires the heart to work harder. Patients commonly report dizziness, fatigue, and chest pain.

EKG machines stress tests are safe tests and pose little or no risk to the patients. They are less expensive than performing exploratory surgery. Another benefit to the patient that there is no recovery time as there would be from surgery.

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