A chemical stress test uses medications to simulate your heart’s response to exercise. A stress test can assess how well your heart performs during exercise. Your doctor may suggest a stress test if ...

A nuclear stress test helps to assess your risk of a severe cardiac event. Depending on your health, a doctor may ask you to take a treadmill test or a chemical test, which uses medications to ...

Average heart rates vary widely. During stress, the body releases hormones that trigger a “fight or flight” response. A person’s heart rate may increase and exceed 100 beats per minute (bpm).