Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill)
When you are exercising, your heart is working much harder. If you are scheduled for an exercise stress test or a “treadmill test,” you will be walking or running on a treadmill while connected to an EKG machine. The electrodes placed on your chest will send signals to the machine, which can help identify a range of cardiac illnesses and conditions.
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Why Do I Need an Exercise Stress Test?
If your doctor, or one of our heart specialists at San Diego Cardiac Center, has ordered an exercise stress test, it is to determine if your heart is receiving the right amount of blood and oxygen. If you have been experiencing chest pains or are exhibiting certain symptoms that may indicate you have coronary artery disease, this test can reveal more about the condition of your heart. It can also reveal what level of physical exercise is safe for you.
The test: What is an Exercise Stress Test Like to Experience?
Before you begin the test, you will have an EKG test to measure your heart rhythm when your body is at rest. You will be asked to breathe into a tube as a test of your lung strength. Once these preliminary steps are completed, your exercise stress test can begin.
You will first walk slowly on the treadmill. As the test moves into the next phase, both the speed and the tilt of the treadmill will be increased. If you feel any discomfort, speak up so we can stop the test.
How Long Does an Exercise Stress Test Take?
The test will take about one hour to complete, including prep. The actual testing requires only about 15 minutes. The test continues until you reach a specific heart rate, or if you develop uncomfortable symptoms, which could include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- High or low blood pressure
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Signs that are revealed on the EKG
What Can an Exercise Stress Test Show About Heart Health?
An exercise stress test may have been ordered to identify the cause of certain symptoms. The test shows how your heart functions during periods of physical activity. As your heart is beating faster and more strongly, the test can reveal several problems related to blood flow within the heart structure. The test may be just one of several you undergo to diagnose a heart condition or disease and to identify the best treatment to bring about a better state of heart health. This test may also be ordered after being prescribed heart medication to determine if it is helping your condition or to guide future treatment plans.