Stress Testing By Thomas Cascino, MD, MSc, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan; Michael J Shea, MD, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan Reviewed / Revised Jul 2021 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Stress Test Methodology Diagnostic Stress Test Methodology Topic Resources Exercise Stress Test In stress testing, the heart is monitored by electrocardiography (ECG) and often imaging studies during an induced episode of increased cardiac demand so that ischemic areas potentially at risk of infarction can be identified.