Exams Performed in the Echocardiography (ECHO) Lab Echocardiography (Echo) Lab | Page 13

Exercise Stress Test
A graded exercise stress test, sometimes called a treadmill stress test, is used to
determine how your heart responds when it is working the hardest.
Why is a stress test performed?
The test is used to:
• Determine how well your heart tolerates stress.
• Determine your likelihood of having coronary artery disease.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan.
• Help you develop a safe exercise program
Can I eat or drink on the day of the test?
• Yes. However, DO NOT eat or drink anything except water for four hours before the test.
• Avoid all products that contain caffeine for at least 24 hours before the test, as
caffeine may interfere with the results of the test. Caffeine may be found in tea, coffee,
carbonated soft drinks, and chocolate. Please be aware that “decaffeinated” products
may contain trace amounts of caffeine.
• DO NOT SMOKE ON THE DAY OF THE TEST, as nicotine may interfere with the results.
• Any medication should only be taken with small sips of water.
Should I take my medications the day of the test?
DO NOT take any over-the-counter medication that contains caffeine, such as many diet
pills, NoDoz, and Excedrin, for 24 hours before the test. Ask your physician or health care
provider if you have questions about other medications that may contain caffeine.
DO NOT take the following heart medications on the day of your test unless your physician
tells you otherwise or if it is needed to treat chest discomfort the day of the test:
• Beta blockers [e.g., atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor,
Toprol), Propranolol (Inderal)]
• Calcium channel blockers [e.g., diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia XT), verapamil (Calan,
Verelan)]
• Isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Sorbitrate)
• Isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo, Imdur, Monoket)
• Nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitropatches, Nitrostat)