Stress Test Cost and Stress Test Procedures Information

A Stress Test, often referred to as a exercise test, treadmill test, exercise electrocardiogram, graded exercise test, or stress ECG test, is used to help determine how much stress your heart can handle before developing an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia which is when your heart doesn’t receive enough blood flow. At rest, a heart with coronary artery blockage may have very little symptoms and be unrecognizable by an EKG test. However, when a heart is put under stress it requires more oxygen so the heart pumps harder for more blood and an EKG test can better identify coronary artery blockage and heart problems.

Stress Test Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Phoenix, AZ Stress Test Cost Average $1,350 - $3,400
Atlanta, GA Stress Test Cost Average $1,150 - $2,925
New York, NY Stress Test Cost Average $1,150 - $2,925
Los Angeles, CA Stress Test Cost Average $1,450 - $3,700
Chicago, IL Stress Test Cost Average $1,250 - $3,200
Miami, FL Stress Test Cost Average $1,250 - $3,200
Dallas, TX Stress Test Cost Average $1,100 - $2,850
Houston, TX Stress Test Cost Average $1,250 - $3,300
Philadelphia, PA Stress Test Cost Average $1,750 - $4,500
Washington, DC Stress Test Cost Average $1,100 - $2,775

Specific Stress Test Procedures and National Cost Averages

Price Range
Cardiovascular Stress Test Cost Average $1,150 - $2,925
Pulmonary Tests (Stress Test) Cost Average $450 - $1,200
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Featured Facilities that Perform Stress Test

Name Location Price Range
Spectrum Health Grand Rapids , MI $700 - $3,900
Yavapai Regional Medical Center Prescott , AZ $380 - $3,100
Bradford Regional Medical Center Bradford , PA $875 - $1,900
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Lincoln , IL $625 - $4,700
Duncan Regional Hospital, Inc Duncan , OK $1,050 - $2,250
Good Samaritan Regional Hlth Center Mount Vernon , IL $1,400 - $3,000
Claxton - Hepburn Medical Center Ogdensburg , NY $1,850 - $4,000
Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville Madisonville , KY $700 - $1,500
Central Maine Medical Center Lewiston , ME $230 - $3,800
Lifecare Diagnostics Seneca Falls , NY $310 - $950
Vanderbilt Tullahoma - Harton Hospital Tullahoma , TN $1,150 - $2,475
Saint Francis Hospital - Beech Grove Beech Grove , IN $950 - $2,100
Grenada Lake Medical Center Grenada , MS $650 - $1,400
Knapp Medical Center Weslaco , TX $1,700 - $3,700
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Monterey , CA $1,100 - $2,325
Havasu Regional Medical Center Lake Havasu City , AZ $975 - $2,175
Imaging Consultants of Findlay Findlay , OH $320 - $1,000
Beauregard Memorial Hospital Deridder , LA $775 - $1,650
Memorial Medical Center Las Cruces , NM $2,175 - $4,700
Northern Montana Hospital Havre , MT $1,000 - $2,175
Skagit Digital Imaging Mount Vernon , WA $320 - $1,000
Unc Lenoir Health Care Kinston , NC $900 - $1,950
Ohio State University State Health System Columbus , OH $260 - $3,300
Assumption Community Hospital Napoleonville , LA $550 - $4,200
Mount Nittany Medical Center State College , PA $925 - $2,000
Mercy Hospital Joplin Joplin , MO $725 - $1,550
Archbold Memorial Thomasville , GA $650 - $1,400
UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital Athens , TX $1,250 - $2,700
Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville Beeville , TX $2,325 - $5,000
Capital Region Medical Center Jefferson City , MO $825 - $1,800

More about Stress Test Procedures

Stress Test Patient Preparation

Do not eat or drink for three hours prior to the procedure. This reduces the likelihood of nausea that may accompany strenuous exercise after a heavy meal. If you are a diabetic, make sure you let your doctor know ahead of time so you can get specific instructions regarding your insulin prior to your Stress Test. A good rule of thumb for Insulin Dependent Diabetics is to eat a small meal 4 hours prior to your test and then take your insulin. For Non-Insulin Diabetics, eat a light meal 4 hours prior to your test and then take your oral medication. It is important to monitor your glucose levels prior to the test. Your glucose should be less than 150. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for exercise. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants a few days prior to the test in that they may affect the results of your test. Avoid skin oils and lubricants prior to the test in that it may inhibit the test electrodes from sticking to your skin. Check with your doctor but most likely heart medicines will need to be stopped one or two days prior to the test. Discuss all medications or herbal supplements you are taking prior to the test. Some of these may alter your test results and your physician and the technician should be aware of what you take prior to the test. Bring a list of all your medications with you for review by the facility.

What to expect during and after a Stress Test

A Stress Test is a relatively painless procedure. The only discomfort may be associated with the exercise performed in order to put the heart under stress and possibly the adhesives used to attach the electrical leads, electrodes, to your chest. The exam does not produce electricity, but simply records the electrical activity produced by a patient's heart. The overall preparation and test will take approximately 60 minutes not including waiting time. When the test is ready to be run a technician will bring the EKG machine to the patient and attach the leads onto the patient's chest with small stickers. Prior to starting to exercise, the technician will perform an EKG test to measure your heart rate and blood pressure at rest. Upon completion, you will be asked to run on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike to increase your heart rate. The EKG test will be on and monitored at regular intervals by the technician during your exercise. It is important to tell the technician if you feel chest, arm, or jaw pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, or any other unusual symptoms. You will be asked to exercise until you feel exhausted or for about 10 to 12 minutes.

After the test you will cool down by walking or pedaling slowly for a few minutes. The EKG test will continue to be on to monitor your heart until all levels return to normal. Your EKG results will be interpreted by a trained doctor and then discussed with you directly.

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