Treadmill Stress Test Clinic in Fresno, CA

A treadmill stress test is done to determine the health and responsiveness of a patient’s heart when it is working its hardest, specifically for this test, while the patient is walking or running on a treadmill. Many different heart conditions only become prevalent while the heart is working at its peak, so just being tested while the patient is sitting in a doctor’s office can provide some skewed results. The treadmill stress test can be used to identify or diagnose conditions including congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, congestive heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease. It is also very effective at just determining the heart’s ability to pump blood if the heart is receiving a sufficient supply of blood during increased exercise if any symptoms including shortness of breath, dizziness, heart racing, or discomfort of the chest develop during the exercise, and how well the patient performs the activity compared to what is considered healthy for their demographic.

A treadmill stress test provides accurate results regarding the overall health and functioning of a patient’s heart by monitoring the electrical activity of the heart with an EKG (electrocardiogram) while the patient is walking or running on a treadmill. Since it only involves the placement of the electrodes of the EKG onto the skin with adhesive to monitor the heart while the patient is exercising, it is considered an entirely non-invasive treatment option to both diagnose conditions and determine if more invasive testing or treatment methods should be pursued. On top of measuring the electrical activity of the heart, the treadmill stress test can also measure the heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and how hard the patient’s heart is working in comparison to others of a similar demographic. The EKG will help the physician to identify if there are any issues within the muscles or valves of the heart if there is electric stability of the heart both while resting and while under stress, and if there is enough blood being pumped to the muscles of the heart throughout the exercise.

The procedure involved for a treadmill stress test starts with a quick assessment of the patient’s vital signs, to ensure that the stress test is safe to proceed as well as to determine the resting heart rate and blood pressure before exercise has commenced. To proceed with the test, small electrodes will be attached to the chest and arms of the patient by adhesive disks which connect to the electrode machine. Once everything is properly secured, the patient will start to walk on the treadmill at a slow, easy pace that will gradually be increased in speed while remaining manageable for the patient and the physician or technician will repeatedly ask the patient how they are feeling or if they are experiencing any discomfort or changes. This test typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes to ensure that the physician is also to obtain enough information and readings from the EKG regarding the overall health and functioning of the heart. The patient will be closely monitored throughout the test to ensure that the test remains safe and that the test is stopped if any severe symptoms develop.

The treadmill stress test itself is fairly quick, and results can often be analyzed and provided by the patient’s primary care or cardiac care physician within 24 hours following the test. The patient will be notified at this time if the results are normal or abnormal, indicating how the treatment process will continue moving forward if further testing is required to determine the cause of the symptoms that initially led to the recommendation of the treadmill stress test or how abnormal results can be ameliorated.

At Fresno Medical Center, we are currently accepting new patients and are dedicated to providing high-quality care to meet your healthcare needs. Led by Dr. Gurmej Dhillon, MD, we offer a wide range of services, including primary care, diabetic care, medical weight loss, and functional medicine. Our team is committed to creating personalized care plans that support your overall health and well-being. Whether you’re seeking routine check-ups, managing a chronic condition, or looking for specialized care, we are here to provide the support you need in a welcoming and compassionate environment.

Contact us for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 6069 N First St # 103, Fresno, CA 93710. We serve patients from Fresno CA, Clovis CA, West Park CA, Mayfair CA, Muscatel CA, Burness CA, Locans CA, Lone Star CA and surrounding areas.