Using a Treadmill to Measure Stress and Exercise ECG

What is an exercise stress ECG test?

This test is the simplest and most direct way to evaluate how well your heart responds to physical stress. It involves walking on a treadmill, causing your heart to beat faster and harder than usual, revealing potential cardiac issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. If you're looking for a place to undergo the ECG exam, you can consider Capital Heart.

What are the benefits of running on a treadmill?

1. Detects heart artery blockages that may lead to heart attacks, shortness of breath, or sudden cardiac death.

2. Identifies abnormal heartbeats or palpitations caused by irregular cardiac rhythms (Arrhythmias).

3. Evaluates the blood pressure response to activities to assess the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan.

4. Assists individuals with heart disease or those who have had a previous heart attack in developing a healthy exercise plan.

5. Guides the management of cardiac issues, including valve replacement, heart transplantation in patients with heart failure, and cardiac bypass surgery in patients with multiple heart artery blockages.

Who will benefit from this investigation?

Patients experiencing symptoms such as:

• Chest discomfort

• Breathing difficulties

• Irregular or palpitations in the heartbeat

• Regular experiences of dizziness or fainting

• Those interested in participating in strenuous physical activity

• Individuals with a family history of sudden cardiac death

Heart Screening Program includes

How to Prepare for the Exam?

1. Wear loose-fitting clothing and jogging shoes.

2. Put on a shirt that can be easily removed to facilitate the placement of electrodes on the chest.

3. Avoid applying lotions or emollients on the day of the test to prevent interference with electrode skin contact.

4. Have a light lunch up to an hour before your stress echocardiography service.

5. Take all your regular medications (if any), excluding those that lower heart rate, such as beta-blockers. Stop using these medications at least 24 hours before the test. Consult your doctor if you are uncertain about which medications to discontinue before the test.

6. Bring your inhaler and inform the cardiac technician and doctor if you use one for asthma or other breathing problems.

How is the test conducted?

Before the Exam:

1. A cardiac technician will place 10 ECG electrodes on your chest and attach a blood pressure cuff around your right arm.

2. Baseline measurements, including heart rate, blood pressure, and a resting ECG, will be recorded before the test.

Throughout the Exam:

1. The cardiac technician and on-call doctor will closely monitor you as you start gradually on the treadmill.

2. The treadmill's speed and gradient will increase at 3-minute intervals, with continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG.

3. Regular check-ins with the cardiac technician will assess how you feel to determine if the test should be stopped.

4. You'll continue exercising until your heart rate reaches a specific point or you experience symptoms preventing further participation.

Examples of warning signs include:

• Moderate to severe arm, jaw, or chest ache

• Significant breathlessness

• Abnormal high or low blood pressure

• Unsteady heartbeat

• Dizziness

• Changes in your ECG

You can stop the test at any time if it becomes too challenging.

After the Examination:

1. Take a short walk to cool down, and measurements of blood pressure, ECG, and heart rate will continue until they stabilize.

2. The doctor will review the treadmill test findings and contact you promptly. Additional testing may be recommended if anomalies are found.

3. Despite the exercise duration lasting 7 to 12 minutes on average, the complete procedure often takes 30 to 45 minutes.

4. After your exercise stress test, you can resume your regular activities for the rest of the day.