What parameter is monitored during a stress test?

During a stress test, one of the primary parameters monitored is exercise tolerance along with heart rate response. This procedure assesses how well the heart functions under physical stress, typically induced by exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. The heart rate response provides crucial information on the heart's ability to increase cardiac output and maintain adequate circulation during exertion.

Additionally, observing exercise tolerance helps to determine a patient's physical fitness level as well as identify any potential cardiovascular abnormalities. Changes in heart rate indicate how well the heart pumps blood, while the patient's ability to tolerate the exercise duration reflects overall cardiovascular health.

While monitoring blood pressure response is also important during a stress test, it is secondary to the combined assessment of exercise tolerance and heart rate response, which offer a more comprehensive insight into cardiac function during physical activity. Other options like electrolyte balance and ventilation-perfusion ratio are relevant to cardiopulmonary health but are not primary parameters during standard cardiac stress testing.