What Exercise Stress Tests Evaluate

Determine Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Exercise stress tests can help determine the risk of coronary heart disease, as they can see if not enough blood is flowing to the heart. Reduced blood flow to this organ can indicate this disease. The coronary arteries can become diseased or damaged reducing their capacity to deliver blood to the heart. The most common reason they become impaired is inflammation and plaque deposits associated with high cholesterol. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to this disease. When left untreated, patients are at a higher risk for chest pain, heart failure, heart attack, and abnormal heart rhythms.

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