What Are Normal Blood Pressure Results During a Stress EKG?
If you are having an EKG test done, you may wonder what are normal blood pressure results during a stress EKG. Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer to what "normal" is. Your doctor will let you know whether your specific results are normal or not. Still, there are a range of reactions that are considered normal during your stress EKG.
There is really no such thing as normal results or a “normal” stress EKG reading, since the test attaches to twelve places on the body to get various readings. Since each person is different, testing twelve different locations on the bodies of various people are probably each going to have their own versions of normal.
However, in very general terms, during a normal stress EKG reading, i.e. one that shows no heart problems, the EKG should change at a fairly steady rate (rather than erratic or drastic jumps), and it should remain fairly regular (with no abnormalities in pattern).
Uses of a Stress EKG
An electrocardiogram, otherwise known as an EKG, is performed on patients to help determine whether or not they have heart problems. During the test, the patient is put through exercise that causes stress on the heart by increasing the pulse; the EKG testing system typically uses 12 different leads attached to various locations on the body, which record heart activity and display the results on a connected monitor.
Stress EKG and Blood Pressure
For those without cardiovascular conditions, the EKG reading typically remains normal because of the fact that the heart is receiving a regular, increased flow of blood as the pulse quickens due to exercise stress. Thus, a normal blood pressure reading for an EKG stress test is simply a reading where the blood flow increases at a steady level.
A person with a heart problem, on the other hand, may have narrowed arteries that don’t get enough blood into the heart. Exercise, aside from producing pain or breathing problems for the patient, will also likely show strange irregular behavior as the heart attempts to work with the reduced blood flow.
When Is an EKG Test Done
An EKG stress test is typically done when a person shows other signs of heart problems, or when he or she is at increased risk for them due to heredity, lifestyle, general health, etc. In some cases, it’s also done as part of a routine physical exam.
If you have a physical and it doesn’t include an EKG, don’t feel shorted: the testing process is long and quite complex, and is usually not used unless there’s a reason to use it.
If Your EKG Results Are Not Normal
Anyone who receives irregular, abnormal results from an EKG test instead of a normal blood pressure reading from an EKG stress test is advised to speak with a doctor; usually the hospital or clinic that gave you the exam can offer you follow-up assistance if you don’t have a regular physician.
Irregular results, or an irregular blood pressure reading on an EKG stress test, don’t necessarily mean heart disease, of course: they can simply mean high blood pressure or various other less-serious causes.
In any case, you should take the results seriously and get them checked out with whatever follow-up exams your doctor recommends. Further investigation into the reason for your results will narrow down, and ideally identify, the cause of them, so you’ll be able to get adequate treatment.