How is an exercise stress test typically conducted?

An exercise stress test is primarily conducted to evaluate how the cardiovascular system responds to increasing levels of physical activity. During the test, a patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and sometimes an electrocardiogram (ECG) are monitored while they perform exercises, typically on a treadmill or stationary bike. This controlled increase in physical activity intensity helps physicians determine how well the heart performs under stress, allowing for the assessment of cardiovascular fitness as well as the potential detection of any heart-related issues, such as arrhythmias or ischemia.

Other options do not encapsulate the main purpose of the exercise stress test. For example, measuring flexibility and strength is more aligned with physical fitness assessments rather than cardiovascular evaluation. Checking for muscle and joint pain focuses on musculoskeletal issues, which are not the primary aim of a stress test. Lastly, assessing anaerobic capacity involves evaluating how the body performs during high-intensity, short-duration efforts, but this is not the focus of an exercise stress test, which primarily addresses aerobic fitness and cardiovascular response.