What is a stress test?
It's also called an exercise stress test. You walk on a treadmill that gradually gets faster and steeper while we record a continuous EKG and take your blood pressure.
Some heart problems don't show up at rest. They appear when the heart has to work harder, which is why this test can catch what a regular EKG misses.
Who is it for?
- You feel chest pain or tightness when climbing stairs or walking fast.
- You train hard or are about to start: running, cycling, CrossFit, soccer.
- You have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history.
- Your doctor wants to see how a heart treatment is working.
What can a stress test detect?
It helps detect blocked heart arteries, arrhythmias that appear with exercise and blood pressure that rises too much under exertion. In athletes it helps rule out conditions that can cause sudden death.
What to expect on test day
- Come in comfortable clothes and sneakers. We place the electrodes on your chest and the blood pressure cuff on your arm.
- We take a resting EKG before starting.
- You walk on the treadmill. Each stage is a little harder, and you can ask to stop at any time.
- You spend a few minutes in recovery while we keep monitoring.
- The cardiologist reviews the trace and explains what he found.
Price of a stress test in Guadalajara
A stress test at CardioCenter costs $2,200 MXN and includes the cardiologist's interpretation. If you want it together with lab work and a consultation, see the sports check-up, from $4,120 MXN.
What patients who've had it say
"He explained the procedure very professionally. The nurse was very efficient too."
Treadmill stress test · Doctoralia, October 2026Frequently asked questions
Does a stress test hurt?
No. You'll feel the normal tiredness of exercise. The electrodes stick to your skin and come off when you're done.
How is it different from a stress echocardiogram?
In a stress echocardiogram, besides the EKG, we take ultrasound images of the heart before and after exercise. We do that at CardioCenter too.
What if I can't walk on a treadmill?
There's the dobutamine stress echocardiogram: a medication makes the heart work as if you were exercising. Ask the cardiologist whether it's right for you.
Does my insurance cover it?
We accept GNP, Allianz, Zurich, Bupa, BBVA, MediAccess, Plan Seguro, Sofía, MMS, PMI, Prudential, Seguros Monterrey, Seguros Atlas, Banrural and Infonavit. Send us your policy on WhatsApp and we'll confirm.