Chemical Stress Test
I went to my cardiologist's office today to do a chemical stress test. If I never have to do that again in my life, it will be too soon. Went in at 8 am and got out at a little before noon. Off and on all day afterwards, I got terrible abdominal cramps like the ones the chemical caused and am sitting with hot rice socks on my stomach. At least this time the test only lasted 4 minutes for the 'painful, I can't breathe, and I hope I don't throw up part.' When I had it done 4 years ago at the hospital, it lasted 10 minutes.... I thought I was going to die before it was done. Today the poors girls that were doing the test were freaked out afraid that I would suddenly have an asthma attack during the test. I finally told them, "Hey, don't worry about it, if 10 minutes didn't cause asthma or kill me last time, then 4 minutes won't this time.
A chemical (usually Adenosine) Stress Test is used to measure cardiac performance. It can be used when a patient cannot complete the physical activity test (treadmill)... or used in conjunction with the traditional treadmill Stress Test.
Basically the chemical is inserted into your system and the instruments measure your body's response to the medication against specified cardiac expectations.
so for the short version: It's a stamina/performace test for your heart.