Understanding Heart Stress Tests and Nuclear Stress Tests
2/4/2026
What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Matter for Heart Health in Granbury
When it comes to diagnosing heart problems, few tools are as valuable and widely used as stress testing. At Lake Granbury Medical Center, both standard exercise stress tests and advanced nuclear stress tests are available to help evaluate heart function, identify potential blockages, and guide treatment decisions. These tests give cardiologists a clearer picture of how well the heart performs under pressure.
What Is a Standard Exercise Stress Test
A standard stress test is often the first step when a patient reports chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, or palpitations. During the test, a patient walks on a treadmill while the speed and incline slowly increase. Throughout the exercise, the care team monitors heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and the electrical activity of the heart using an EKG.
This type of test answers important questions:
- How does the heart respond to physical exertion
- Is the heart receiving enough blood during activity
- Are there abnormal rhythms that appear only with stress
- Does exercise trigger symptoms like chest discomfort or shortness of breath
A standard stress test is noninvasive, requires no special preparation beyond comfortable clothes and shoes, and usually takes less than an hour.
What Is a Nuclear Stress Test
A nuclear stress test provides everything a standard stress test does, plus additional imaging that shows how blood flows to the heart muscle itself. Instead of relying only on EKG monitoring, this test uses a tiny amount of a safe, medical tracer that highlights blood flow on a special camera.
Patients typically undergo two scans:
- One while the heart is at rest
- One while the heart is stressed either by exercise or a medication that safely increases heart workload
Doctors can then compare both sets of images to see whether certain parts of the heart receive less blood during stress. This helps identify blockages, even those that may not cause symptoms yet.
Nuclear stress tests are especially useful for patients who:
- Cannot walk well enough for a treadmill test
- Have a history of heart disease
- Have unclear chest pain
- Have had previous procedures such as stents or bypass surgery
They offer precise, detailed insight into heart function and blood flow.
What These Tests Tell Us About the Heart
Both types of stress tests help cardiologists understand:
- Whether arteries may be narrowed
- How well the heart pumps under stress
- Whether parts of the heart are not getting enough oxygen
- Whether chest pain or shortness of breath is likely heart related
- How exercise impacts heart rhythm
Insights From Our Cardiologists
“Stress testing is one of the most important tools we have for early detection of coronary disease. It gives us a clear picture of how the heart behaves when it is pushed a little, which is often when hidden problems reveal themselves,” said Michael Ibe, M.D., interventional cardiologist.
“Nuclear stress testing adds another layer of clarity. It helps us see which parts of the heart are getting less blood flow and whether those areas improve with rest. That level of detail helps us make smarter treatment decisions for our patients in Granbury,” added Levi Rice, D.O., interventional cardiologist.
Interesting Facts About Stress Testing
- Stress tests have been in use for more than 60 years and remain one of the most trusted diagnostic tools.
- Nearly half of heart attack patients experienced symptoms during activity in the months before their event.
- A nuclear stress test can identify some blockages before they cause noticeable symptoms.
- For many patients, stress testing helps avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Heart Testing Close to Home
Lake Granbury Medical Center is proud to offer both exercise and nuclear stress testing for the community. With local cardiologists trained in advanced diagnostics and interventional care, residents can receive high quality evaluation without traveling far.
Take Charge of Your Heart Health
Residents who want to take a closer look at their heart health can take a quick online heart health quiz at https://www.lakegranburymedicalcenter.com/cardiac-care.
To schedule an appointment with the cardiology department at Lakeside Physicians, call (817) 579-3970.
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