Stress Test?

  My cardiologist has set me up for a stress test. I was told it's like a small workout. so if anyone has done one. what is it? What am I in for?

Perhaps different cardiologists have different ones but mine goes for the 'Bruce Protocol'. I checked it out on Wikipedia for you and I think the description there is fairly clear. Basically, you get to walk on a treadmill with electrodes attached to you, and they increase the slant and pace gradually, while monitoring what your heart is doing. They don't force you to carry on if you feel over-tired, dizzy etc. and they keep asking you if it's ok. So it's no big deal and nothing to worry about.

The only problem for me is that the sticky pads are really itchy!

Here is some info from about.com:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyand physiology/a/stresstest.htm

You will basically run on a treadmill at different intervals while they monitor at each interval.

It's not so bad, but I learned that it lacks a certain accuracy since it can't see blood flow.  I have had a regular one (several actually) and a nuclear one (where they inject a dye into you to see your blood flow between trying to kill you on the treadmill).  It is still a good place to get a baseline for your cardiac health and doesn't hurt unless you are a sufferer of shin-splints (like me). 

I have had it done twice.  As the first lady said, it's know big deal.  They hook eledtrodes to you and then pace you on a treadmeal.  They will monitor your heartrate and will keep asking you if your okay.  They up the speed a little at a time.  It doesn't take very long to do this.  I have also had the injection.  It is done by i.v. and it speeds up your heart as if you are doing a work out even though you are laying down.  Personally I's rather walk on the treadmill, but neither is that bad.  I promise.