After your initial physical exam, your doctor may recommend additional tests to better understand your heart health. These may include cardiac stress tests, blood tests for heart disease or other imaging and diagnostic studies. The type of test your doctor suggests will depend on your symptoms, medical history and heart disease risk factors.
What is a cardiac stress test?
A stress test helps your care team see how well your heart works during physical activity or under controlled stress. It’s one of the most common diagnostic tools for evaluating chest pain, shortness of breath, or suspected coronary artery disease.
Types of stress tests your doctor may recommend
- Exercise stress test: You walk or jog on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while your heart is monitored.
- Nuclear stress test: Combines exercise or medication with nuclear imaging to show blood flow to the heart muscle. Sometimes called a chemical stress test.
- Pharmacological stress test: Uses medication to simulate exercise if you cannot safely walk or run on a treadmill. Often combined with nuclear imaging.
- Echo stress test: Uses ultrasound (echocardiography) during exercise to look at your heart’s structure and function.
- Dobutamine stress test: A type of medication stress test that uses dobutamine to make your heart beat faster while ultrasound images are taken.
What to expect during your stress test
- Preparation: Most patients do not need special instructions, though your doctor may give you guidance based on your medications or health conditions. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and supportive shoes.
- During the test: A technician will place small stickers with electrodes on your chest to record your heart’s electrical activity. These connect to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. Your blood pressure and oxygen levels will also be tracked.
- Exercise or medication: You may walk or run on a treadmill, ride a stationary bike, or - if you’re having a medication stress test - receive medicine through an intravenous (IV) line to simulate exercise.
- Monitoring: Throughout the test, your heart rhythm, blood flow and symptoms will be closely observed by your heart care team.
What blood tests check for heart problems?
Blood tests provide important information about your risk for heart attack, heart disease, or vascular disease. They are often used alongside imaging or stress tests to give a more complete picture of your cardiovascular health.
Common blood tests your doctor may order include:
- Cholesterol panel: Measures LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides, which can impact heart and blood vessel health.
- Blood glucose test: Helps identify diabetes or prediabetes, which increases heart disease risk.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) test: CRP is made by the liver in response to inflammation. While not a stand-alone marker for heart disease, high CRP levels combined with other results may signal higher risk.
- Cardiac enzyme tests (troponin, CK-MB): Sometimes used if a heart attack is suspected, to detect heart muscle damage.
- Other labs: Depending on your history, your doctor may order thyroid function tests, kidney function tests or additional labs to look for underlying contributors to heart disease.
Why these tests matter
Together, stress tests and blood tests can help your doctor:
- Detect early signs of heart disease
- Evaluate unexplained symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath
- Determine the best treatment plan for your needs
- Monitor your progress if you’re already being treated for a heart condition
Next step: If you’ve been referred for a stress test or blood test, follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t hesitate to ask questions. At Banner Health, our heart care team is here to guide you through every step - helping you understand your results and plan for the healthiest future possible.
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