Stress test

I recently had a treadmill stress test. It was explained to me that there would be 5 parts of 3 minute duration each totaling 15 minutes. Each part would be increasingly difficult since each succeding part has the treadmill speed increased as well as the incline of the treadmill. I was told that being 64 my goals were 85% pulse of 132, 90% of 140, and 100% of 156. After the first part of 3 minutes, my pulse was about 130 amd half way thru the second part my pulse was 157. At that time the doctor stopped the test and said it was a good test. There were no problems with the sensors or connections or my BP readings as far as I know. About 4 minutes after the test was stopped, my heart rate was back down around 65. My question is: Does the fact that I reached 100% pulse in 4 1/2 minutes and the test was stopped and I recovered back to a normal pulse in 4 to 5 minutes indicate a strong heart or weak heart or something else I can't think of?

[CCFCardio MD2]

It sounds as if you had an adequate stress test.  The HR is checked to evaluate if your heart was appropriately stressed or not.  The blood pressure, ST changes on ECG, and patient symptoms are more important.  Your HR sounds as if it responded appropriately to the stress.  If your physician says your test was fine and you don't have symptoms your heart sounds fine.

Best of luck.