How a Stress Test May Benefit Your Fitness Regimen in the Long Run

According to the American Heart Association an exercise stress test is defined as a non-invasive test where the heart's ability to function is assessed. The test is nothing more than walking on a treadmill with a gradually increased degree of difficulty. Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), and how tired you feel are monitored during this simple physical activity. You may also be asked to breathe into a tube.

There is very little risk, if any to healthy people who are given this test. Medical professionals are always present during this test.

The reasons why an exercise stress may be prescribed by a health care professional:

1. As a predictive measure for those who may be at risk for dangerous cardiac conditions such as heart attacks.

2. To help diagnose cardiac disease.

3. To diagnose possible heart-related conditions when symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath present themselves.

4. To check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve the circulation of patients with coronary artery disease.

5. Determine safe level of exercise and level of fitness.

Given these facts it is fairly easy to see how an exercise stress test can be beneficial to a person's long term fitness protocol. The test is safe, simple and non-invasive and will give a good measure of how well your heart functions when the body is at work. This way you and your health care practitioner can more effectively map out a path for you to attain and maintain physical fitness.

So many people get wrapped up with the aesthetics of how they look in the mirror that they totally negate the importance of keeping the most important muscle of their body healthy. What good are bulging biceps or six pack abs if your heart isn't equally strong and free of fatty deposits? The "perfect" body may look nice but won't get you very far if that beauty is only "skin deep." You won't get very far if your heart stops working. Will you?