Ascension Michigan Heart Report: Dr. Barbish

The Importance of a Stress Test

Dr. Barbish talks about the significance of stress tests.

Question: Dr. Barbish what can people expect when their doctor tells them they need a stress test?

Dr. Barbish: Well, the doctor’s office will give you specific instructions on what to wear and maybe to hold your meds on the day of the test. They’ll hook you up with leads on your chest and have you walk on a treadmill, although there may be other tests where you don’t have to walk.

Question: What do stress tests tell you as the physician?

Dr. Barbish: This test is a very good physiologic test to look for blockages in the arteries that supply the heart. It also looks at arrhythmias during exercise and looks to see if you have any symptoms of chest discomfort so it’s a multi-faceted test that gives the doctor a lot of information.

To make sure your heart is healthy; get a heart scan. Go to ascension.org/heartscan