Stress test

The exercise stress test is a reference examination in cardiovascular assessment. It may be prescribed in many clinical situations to objectively evaluate the heart’s behavior under progressive physical exertion. It is particularly useful to:

• Diagnose the cause of chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations occurring during exertion, by reproducing the symptoms in a safe medical setting;
• Detect coronary artery disease by revealing possible myocardial ischemia through a stress electrocardiogram performed under controlled conditions;
• Identify heart rhythm disorders triggered or worsened by exercise;
• Assess the effectiveness of cardiac treatment (medical or interventional) on the response to exertion;
• Determine the patient’s exercise capacity to guide the resumption of physical activity or tailored rehabilitation. This dynamic ECG test provides valuable data for patient management.

The exercise stress test is therefore a valuable tool for diagnosis, follow-up, and prevention in cardiology.

The exercise stress test takes place in three stages:

• Preparation: Electrodes are placed on your chest and a blood pressure cuff is fitted;
• Exercise: You perform an activity with progressively increasing intensity, while your heart rate and blood pressure are continuously monitored;
• Recovery: After stopping the exercise, monitoring continues for a few minutes to observe the return of your cardiac parameters to normal.

The test lasts about 30 minutes in total and does not require hospitalization.

Practical advice:

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercise;
• Avoid heavy meals in the two hours prior to the test.

This examination is performed in the various Rythmopôle Paris centers, notably at Cardiopôle Yvart and Centre Damrémont.

Rythmopôle Paris offers optimal conditions for performing exercise stress tests:

• A team of experienced rhythmologists specializing in the diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders;
• Modern equipment enabling high-quality recordings;
• Expert interpretation of results, particularly for exercise-related arrhythmias;
• Personalized care with the option of additional tests if necessary.

This test plays a key role in monitoring the progression of rhythm disorders and in optimally tailoring patient management.
Performed under controlled conditions, it provides valuable information on the behavior of the heart under stress, especially in cases of unexplained palpitations, exercise-induced dizziness, or suspected underlying heart disease.

Thanks to this dynamic assessment, Rythmopôle’s rhythmologists can adjust treatments, prevent complications, and, if necessary, recommend targeted additional tests (MRI, long-term Holter monitoring, electrophysiological study).
The goal is to offer each patient comprehensive, proactive, and personalized care, in close collaboration with their primary care physician or referring cardiologist.