An ECG exercise tolerance test (also known as a stress test or treadmill test) is used to assess how your heart responds to physical exertion and can help to diagnose primarily heart artery disease and heart rhythm disturbances.
An ECG exercise tolerance test (also known as a stress test or treadmill test) is used to assess how your heart responds to physical exertion and can help to diagnose primarily heart artery disease and heart rhythm disturbances.
Much like an ECG, a number of stickers are placed on the chest, torso and arms. These are connected to an ECG machine to continuously monitor your heart’s electrical activity during the test.
You’ll then begin walking on a treadmill. The test starts slowly and becomes progressively harder in stages. The technician will monitor your heart rate, ECG, and blood pressure throughout the test.
The goal is to exercise until you reach a target heart rate or until you develop symptoms (e.g., chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations) that require you to stop.
The doctor will review the test results and communicate these to you and your GP.
