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A stress test is usually done in a hospital or doctor’s office. Your doctor will give you instructions to prepare for the test and tell you what to expect during and after the test.

A stress test measures how healthy your heart is and how well it works during physical stress. Some heart problems are easier to identify when your heart is working hard to pump blood throughout your body, such as when you exercise.

If you have been diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder, it is important that you continue your treatment. Follow-up care can vary depending on your response to treatment and whether your condition is caused by internal factors, such as a medical condition, or external factors, such as your environment.

Treatments for circadian rhythm disorders aim to reset your sleep-wake rhythm to align with your environment. Your treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of your circadian rhythm disorder. The most common treatments are healthy lifestyle changes, bright light therapy, and melatonin. Often, your doctor will recommend a combination of these treatments.

To diagnose a circadian rhythm disorder, your doctor may review your medical history; ask about your symptoms, sleep patterns, and environment; do a physical exam; and order diagnostic tests.

Signs and symptoms of circadian rhythm disorders can vary depending on the type of circadian rhythm disorder you have and how severe your condition is. Many of the symptoms of circadian rhythm disorders occur because you are not getting enough good-quality sleep when your body needs it. Undiagnosed and untreated circadian rhythm disorders may increase your risk of certain health conditions or cause workplace or road accidents.

Currently, there are no screening methods to determine who will develop circadian rhythm disorders. Your doctor may ask you about your sleep habits in childhood and the last several years, and if you have performed shift-work. If you are at risk for circadian rhythm disorders, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes to help prevent a circadian rhythm disorder.

You may have a higher risk for circadian rhythm disorders because of internal factors such as your age, your sex, family history and genetics, and certain medical conditions that affect your brain or vision. External factors such as your lifestyle habits, environment, and occupation can also increase your risk.

Circadian rhythm disorders occur when your sleep-wake cycle is out of sync with your environment. Many factors, both internal and external, can cause you to have problems sleeping and raise your risk for a circadian rhythm disorder.

The types of circadian rhythm disorders are advanced or delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, irregular or non–24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder, and shift work or jet lag disorder. The type you may have is based on your pattern of sleep and wakefulness.