Health Tip: Preparing for a Stress Test
February 17, 2009, 2:25 PM ET
• 1 min read
Feb. 18 -- (HealthDay News) -- If your doctor has prescribed an exercise stress test to monitor how your heart performs during activity, there are a few things you should do before the test.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help you prepare:
For at least three hours prior to the stress test, don't eat or smoke. And don't drink anything that contains alcohol or caffeine.Do not use Viagra within 24 hours of the test. Nitroglycerin (sometimes given during a stress test) may interact with Viagra, resulting in a dangerous drop in blood pressure.Unless your doctor has instructed otherwise, take all of your other medications as you normally would.You'll be exercising during the test, so wear appropriate clothing, including comfortable shoes or sneakers and loose workout clothes.For the test itself, electrodes that monitor your heart's activity will be applied to your chest, and you will pedal, walk or run on a machine while your heart rate is monitored.