Exercise Test
What is it?
Sometimes called an electrocardiogram (E.C.G.) or stress test. It is basically an E.C.G. recorded whilst you are being exercised on a treadmill.
Why is it done?
It will provide the doctor with important information about how your heart works during physical activity which cannot be detected on a resting E.C.G. It is often performed to give a more formal assessment of how much you are able to do. It is useful to do as a baseline so that if you tell us you are not able to do as much - we can formally assess how things have changed
How is it done?
Just as with a basic E.C.G. recording, you will be asked to undress to the waist while electrodes are applied to the chest. For you ladies out there - just ask for a hospital gown!! Prior to the application of electrodes the skin will be cleaned with alcohol (Sometimes a small area of skin will be shaved to remove any hairs first!). The technician will make some recordings before the exercise is started. The doctor will also take blood pressure readings throughout the test.
The exercise
You will be asked to walk on a treadmill - they will alter the speed and slope every 3 minutes.The test may take up to 30 minutes. You should not have eaten a large meal prior to the test or smoked or drunk large amounts of fluid for about one hour prior to the test. You should also take with you any medication that you are taking. If you are taking a beta blocker type of drug they may ask you to stop taking this 48hrs before the test.
The Treadmill
