To determine functional capacity of the heart

To screen for asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD)

To diagnose the cause of chest pain

To help set limitations for an exercise program

To identify cardiac arrhythmias that develop during physical exercise

To evaluate the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic or antianginal therapy

To evaluate myocardial perfusion

Make sure that the consent form is signed by the child’s parents or legal guardians.

Note and report all allergies.

Check the child’s history for a recent physical examination (within 1 week) and for baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

Instruct the child not to eat or to drink caffeinated beverages before the test.

Continue medications the child is currently taking unless the physician directs otherwise.

Describe the equipment that will be used for the test; show the child a picture or, if possible, the actual equipment.

Warn the child that he might feel fatigued, slightly breathless, and sweaty during the test.