Assessing the Readability and Quality of Web-Based Resources on Exercise Stress Testing: Cross-Sectional Readability and Quality Analysis

Online resources on exercise stress testing are, on average, written at a reading level that exceeds the AMA's 6th-grade reading guideline, potentially limiting patient comprehension. Academic sources are significantly more difficult to read than nonacademic sources, though neither category meets the recommended readability standards. The quality of web-based resources was found to be fair but could be improved by ensuring transparency in sourcing and providing clearer, more comprehensive information. These findings underscore the need for improved accessibility and readability in online health information to support patient education and informed decision-making.