Why Do I Have to Fast Before a Stress Test?

Why do I have to fast before a stress test? You have to fast before a stress test in order to ensure that you get accurate results, as certain foods and drinks can interfere with a proper reading.

Why do you have to fast before a stress test? You have to fast before a stress test because the doctors do not want any foods to cause the results of the test to be skewed. 

Certain foods or drinks, such as those high in salt, sugar, or caffeine, can artificially raise your heart rate or resting blood pressure and cause the results of the test to be invalid.  Also, because you will be working with a treadmill and exercising during the test, you do not want to get nauseous and have to discontinue the test because you ate a big meal.

What is a Stress Test Used For?

When going for a stress test, you need to know not only why you have to fast before the stress test, but also what the purpose of that test is.

Many people who are going for a standard battery of tests such as heart tests or other medical tests to indicate their general health have heard of the stress test.  A stress test puts stress on the heart and circulatory system to determine whether there are heart related or other problems being experienced by the person undergoing the stress test, as well as to determine your heart rate and other information the doctors may need to help treat the condition at hand.

If you have been asked to take a stress test, you are likely to have heard the requirement that you fast, or refrain from eating, for a period of time – usually four hours – prior to taking the test.  So, now you know why you have to fast before your stress test.