Factors affecting results Certain medications such as antianginal drugs may alter the results by increasing your exercise tolerance. These drugs may be discontinued for a day or so beforehand, unless the test is meant to assess their effectiveness. Medications such as digitalis can produce a false-positive, or abnormal, result. Interpretation A doctor studies the ECG tracings, and also assesses your performance and symptoms during the test. This test offers a simple, noninvasive method of assessing heart function during vigorous activity, and is generally safe when performed in the proper setting.
Women are more likely than men to have a false-positive exercise stress test.
Patients with an abnormal resting ECG usually shouldn't undergo an exercise stress test. The next step Test results may be used to develop an exercise prescription as part of a cardiovascular conditioning or rehabilitation program. Abnormal results may point to a need for further tests, including an exercise stress test or myocardial perfusion scan, or cardiac catheterization and angiography. Published under license from Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.