WEBVTT FILE

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Having a cardiac stress
test is probably not your

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idea of a good time.

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You may even be feeling
a bit nervous about it.

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That's understandable.

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To help ease your mind,
focus on this: A cardiac

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stress test can help
your healthcare provider

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identify a heart problem
and better plan treatment

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for it.

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Afterward, you'll be
on your way to feeling

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better!

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Knowing what to expect
with this procedure can

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also help you feel
less anxious and better

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prepared.

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Here are the facts behind
some common concerns about

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cardiac stress testing.

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Is it safe?

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Most procedures
have some risks.

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The good news here is that
cardiac stress testing has

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very few risks.

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They depend mainly on
how the test is done.

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Like, if you need medicine
to raise your heart rate,

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you may have side effects
such as a headache,

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nausea, or vomiting.

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Or if you have a dye
injected into your veins

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for imaging, you may be
worried about an allergic

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reaction.

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Keep in mind, these
side effects are rare.

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Your care team has done
lots of these tests and

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knows exactly how
to keep you safe.

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You can do your part,
too, by following all

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instructions, like not
drinking coffee and other

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caffeinated drinks a
few hours beforehand.

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What if I have chest pain?

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During this test, your
heart rate will be

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elevated.

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So there is a chance that
you may have symptoms

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like chest pain or
shortness of breath.

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If that's the
case, speak up!

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Your care team can
promptly treat any

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problems.

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Remember, too, they'll
be monitoring your health

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closely during the test
and will stop it right

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away, if needed.

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What happens if they
find a heart problem?

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Cardiac stress testing
is a good first step in

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diagnosing many heart
problems, such as coronary

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heart disease.

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If the results suggest you
may have a problem, you'll

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likely need more testing.

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Now, nobody wants to hear
they may have a heart

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problem.

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But the sooner you and
your healthcare provider

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know what's causing your
symptoms, the sooner

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you'll have a plan in
place to help you feel

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better.

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Plus, getting a cardiac
stress test now may help

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prevent a more serious
problem, like a heart

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attack, in the future.

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And that's definitely
a good thing!

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Still have questions
or concerns?

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Your care team
is here to help.

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Get in touch to learn more
about all you can do to

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make sure your
test goes smoothly.