Do I Need a Stress Test?

What is Stress? What are the common causes?

Stress is inevitable in today's modern world and we face it every day at home and in the workplace. It can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed- young children to older adults. Stress occurs as a result of demands that are placed on us and our inability to meet them and these demands arise from outside sources as well, such as family, school, jobs, friends, loved ones, lifestyle, or emotional and personal problems. Some more notorious causes of stress include major illness, the death of a loved one, relationships (including divorce), family problems, job stress, moving to a new place, exam stress, pregnancy stress, financial matters, and retirement. In a few cases, happy events such as the birth of a child, wedding, or even a new job can lead to stress. There are numerous emotional, psychological, physical effects that are linked to stress. These can include depression, anxiety, heart attacks, high blood pressure, fatigue, hypertension, etc.

What is a stress test?

A stress test is normally performed by a physician/ or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm. It is important to get these tests done, if you experience symptoms of heart diseases (including chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, etc.), fatigue, or shortness of breath.

What is an Exercise Stress Test?

A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, electrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test, or stress ECG- used to provide information about how the heart responds to exertion. During this time, your physician will monitor your electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

What are Other Types of Stress Tests?

If your physician is not satisfied with the results or if a routine exercise stress test doesn't pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, he/she might recommend few other stress tests, including Imaging Test (also called as nuclear stress test, cardiac SPECT, Myocardial Perfusion SPECT, Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test, and Thallium Stress Test). Your physician will use data from the test to establish or modify your treatment plan, as needed.

Have you taken a stress test?

Simple DIY Stress Tests

Try some of these simple stress tests, which will keep your stress levels in check. These tests just take 5 to 15 minutes of your valuable time and can be done anywhere!! These Stress tests will help you determine the amount of stress that your heart can actually manage during a physical activity.  

Do you have Adrenal Fatigue? 
Find out how with a simple-at home Test

For this test, you will need a flashlight and a mirror. In a dark room or closet, wait a minute for your eyes to adjust to the dark. This will allow your pupils to dilate (open) fully. Then look at your eyes, about a 45 degree angle in a mirror, while flashing the light into your eyes, and watch the reaction of your pupils for at least 20 to 30 seconds.

The light should cause your iris to contract, making your pupils (the dark spot in the center of your eye) smaller. This means your body is coping well with your adrenal stress, but if you have adrenal gland fatigue, the iris will be weak and will not be able to hold the contraction, and it will either waver between contracted and relaxed, or will contract initially, but then open up after 10-30 seconds.

Are you Stressed-Out? Take this 5-second Stress-test now:

Use your fingers to touch your neck for 5 seconds, to measure stress. Gently touch your neck and start counting slowly from 1 to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).  Warm hands are relaxed; and cold hands are Tense. If your fingers are icy cold, then your hands show that you are under stress. And if your fingers feel warm, then your mind is relaxed. 

5 signs you’re way too stressed: Watch-Out

• Do you feel tired too often or frustrated?
• Do you have trouble concentrating?
• Do you have constant headache that doesn’t go away?
• Do you feel anxious or palpitations of heart or face any difficulty in breathing?
• Do you have trouble sleeping well?

If the above answers are “Yes” then it is clear indication that you are stressed-out. 

Check out these Free Online Stress Tests 

You can also take some online stress tests that were developed by various non-profit organizations, which aim to promote the well-being of an individual. Some of these stress tests can be accessed from the following links:

• You can take simple stress test questionnaire which is available at the following link This stress test was developed by the Stress Management Society. It is a Non-profit organization based in the UK that is dedicated to help people tackle stress. 
• In order to promote mentally healthier lives, a community-based non-profit organization known as Mental Health America (MHA) has created a “Stress Screener” which will help you analyze your stress levels. Click on the link -screener to analyze your stress levels today. 
• The Canadian Mental Health Association (CHMA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada which provides support services to people who are experiencing mental illness. Find out your Stress levels right now by completing a simple test here and get your scores instantly. 

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