My Concierge MD performs treadmill cardiac stress tests and stress echocardiograms in our Beverly Hills office. Dr. David Nazarian, a board-certified internal medicine physician, supervises the test and reviews the results with you, so you don’t need a separate referral or hospital visit.
Book a stress test or call (310) 299-8959.
Two kinds of stress test
- Treadmill (exercise) stress test. You walk on a treadmill as speed and incline rise while we record your ECG, heart rate and blood pressure. It looks for heart-rhythm changes that can point to reduced blood flow to the heart, and measures how well you tolerate exercise.
- Stress echocardiogram. We take ultrasound images of your heart at rest and right after peak exercise. Comparing the two shows whether every part of the heart muscle squeezes normally under stress, which makes it more accurate than an ECG alone for detecting blockages.
Who it’s for
- Chest discomfort, unusual shortness of breath or fatigue with exertion
- Known heart disease, or several risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking or a strong family history
- Clearance before starting a hard exercise program, especially after 40 or with risk factors
- Part of an executive physical when your history calls for it
For low-risk people without symptoms, routine stress testing usually isn’t recommended. Dr. Nazarian will tell you whether it’s useful for you, or whether a coronary calcium score or blood work answers the question better.
What to expect
Plan on about an hour. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes, avoid a heavy meal for 2 to 3 hours and avoid caffeine on the day of the test unless told otherwise. Bring a list of your medicines; we’ll tell you in advance if any should be held. Small sticky ECG pads go on your chest, and the treadmill test itself usually lasts 6 to 12 minutes. You can stop at any time.
After the test
Dr. Nazarian reviews the ECG and echo images with you. If the test is normal, we use your exercise capacity to guide training and prevention. If it shows a possible problem, we arrange the next step quickly, such as further imaging or a cardiology referral, and coordinate it for you.
Related testing
See all cardiac and vascular testing, ultrasound, VO2 max testing for fitness, and advanced cholesterol and Lp(a) testing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a stress test safe?
Serious problems are rare. The test is supervised by a physician, with monitoring throughout, and is stopped if any concerning sign appears.
What’s the difference between a stress test and a VO2 max test?
A stress test looks for heart problems under exercise. A VO2 max test measures fitness. They can be combined when appropriate.
Does insurance cover it?
Stress tests ordered for symptoms or a medical reason are often covered. Ask us about your plan and self-pay pricing.
Schedule your stress test at our office at 9301 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 405A, Beverly Hills.