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Cardiolucent

Procedure

Exercise stress testing

Diagnostics & Exams

Exercise stress testing evaluates how your heart responds to physical exertion in a controlled, monitored environment. You walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed and incline while a 12-lead EKG, blood pressure cuff, and Dr. Kedan track your heart rhythm, blood pressure, symptoms, and exercise capacity in real time. It's the most physiologic look at how the cardiovascular system actually performs under demand — helpful for evaluating exertional chest discomfort or breathlessness, unexplained fatigue, palpitations brought on by activity, and objective assessment of fitness measured in METs, a strong predictor of long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

What's Included

  • Supervised treadmill exercise with continuous physician monitoring
  • 12-lead EKG throughout the test
  • Blood-pressure response evaluation during and after exercise
  • Exercise capacity measurement (METs achieved)
  • Symptom reproduction and correlation
  • Recovery-phase monitoring
  • Same-day results and walkthrough with Dr. Kedan

How It's Performed

The test is performed in our Beverly Hills office. After baseline EKG and vital-sign measurements, you walk on a treadmill that increases in speed and incline every few minutes. Dr. Kedan is in the room watching every tracing and symptom in real time, with continuous EKG and blood-pressure monitoring throughout. The test is stopped the moment you reach your target heart rate, ask to stop, or any concerning signal appears. Total appointment time is roughly 45 to 75 minutes, with the active exercise portion typically lasting 6 to 12 minutes depending on fitness.

How to Prepare

  • Wear comfortable workout clothing and athletic shoes you can walk briskly in.
  • Avoid caffeine for 24 hours beforehand — it can blunt the heart-rate response.
  • Eat lightly; no heavy meals in the 3 hours before the test.
  • Bring a current medication list. Dr. Kedan will advise specifically about holding beta-blockers or other rate-controlling drugs.
  • Never stop a prescription medication without that specific guidance.

What to Expect After

You'll spend a few minutes in monitored recovery while your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline. Temporary leg fatigue and breathlessness are normal and resolve within a short time. You can drive yourself home. Dr. Kedan reviews your tracings, blood-pressure trend, duration achieved, and any findings with you the same day, before you leave — no separate follow-up appointment required.

Indications

  • Chest discomfort or breathlessness with exertion
  • Unexplained fatigue or decline in exercise tolerance
  • Evaluation of palpitations brought on by activity
  • Risk stratification before a major lifestyle or training change
  • Objective fitness baseline (METs)
  • Assessment of known coronary, valve, or arrhythmic disease under exercise
  • Follow-up after revascularization or rhythm intervention

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is exercise stress testing?
Exercise stress testing evaluates how your heart responds to physical exertion in a controlled, monitored environment. You walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed and incline while a 12-lead EKG, blood pressure cuff, and Dr. Kedan track your heart rhythm, blood pressure, symptoms, and exercise capacity in real time. It's the most physiologic look at how the cardiovascular system actually performs under demand.
Why would I need a stress test?
Common reasons include chest discomfort or breathlessness with activity, unexplained fatigue, a decline in exercise tolerance, evaluation of palpitations brought on by exertion, risk stratification before a major lifestyle change, or objective assessment of fitness as a baseline. It's also used to evaluate the response of known coronary disease, valve disease, or arrhythmias to exercise.
How should I prepare?
Wear comfortable workout clothing and athletic shoes you can walk briskly in. Avoid caffeine for 24 hours beforehand because it can blunt the heart-rate response. Eat lightly — no heavy meals in the 3 hours before. Bring a list of current medications. Dr. Kedan will tell you specifically whether to hold any beta-blockers or other rate-controlling drugs that morning; never stop prescription medications without that specific guidance.
Will I be monitored the whole time?
Yes — continuously and directly. A 12-lead EKG runs throughout, blood pressure is checked every few minutes, and Dr. Kedan is in the room watching every tracing and symptom in real time. The test is stopped the moment you reach your target, ask to stop, or any concerning signal appears.
What if I can't walk on a treadmill?
If knee, hip, balance, or pulmonary limitations make treadmill exercise impractical, a pharmacologic stress test using a medication that simulates exercise on the heart is the right alternative. In some situations a CT coronary calcium score or coronary CT angiogram is a better fit. Dr. Kedan will help match the test to your situation — call (310) 304-5555 to discuss options.
Is the test safe?
Stress testing performed under direct physician supervision is very safe. Serious complications are uncommon. The most common experiences are temporary leg fatigue, breathlessness, or a transient drop in stamina afterward. Dr. Kedan's presence throughout the test — rather than a tech alone — adds a meaningful layer of safety, particularly for patients with known cardiac history.
How long does the appointment take?
Total appointment time is roughly 45 to 75 minutes, with the active exercise portion typically lasting 6 to 12 minutes depending on your fitness. The remainder covers setup, baseline tracings, recovery monitoring, and review of results.
What can the test reveal?
It detects EKG changes suggesting reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, abnormal blood-pressure responses, exercise-induced arrhythmias, and your overall exercise capacity expressed in METs — a meaningful predictor of long-term cardiovascular outcomes. It also clarifies whether symptoms like chest pressure or breathlessness are truly exertional and reproducible.
When will I get my results?
Dr. Kedan reviews your tracings and the test report with you the same day, before you leave. You'll see the EKG, your blood pressure trend, the duration and intensity you achieved, and any findings that need follow-up — no separate appointment required.
Is exercise stress testing covered by insurance?
Cardiolucent does not accept Medicare or insurance and bills patients directly. We provide a detailed superbill that you can submit to your insurance carrier for out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so check your out-of-network benefits if reimbursement is a factor in your decision.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.