Stress Test

Stress Test

A stress test is ordered if the cardiologist wishes to further evaluate your child while he or she is exercising. A return visit will be scheduled for your child specifically for this test, which is performed in the hospital next door to our office building. Children coming in for a stress test should dress in comfortable, athletic clothing and be ready to run. Eating breakfast on the day of the stress test is required. During the stress test, the child wears EKG stickers and walks on a treadmill. The speed and slope of the treadmill slowly increase. The child walks for most of the test then breaks into a run at the end. The test is stopped if the child has chest pain, dizziness, weakness, if the child is simply too tired to continue, or if something concerning is noted on the EKG monitor. Following exercise there is a cool down period for the child to rest. The child then comes off the treadmill and monitoring continues for several more minutes after exercise. Fluid intake is recommended for the hours following the test.