Treadmill Stress Test

What is a Treadmill Stress Test?

Exercise testing measures the performance and capacity of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Here are some benefits of a treadmill stress test, along with situations in which it can be conducted:

1. to make a diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
2. to assess those with a high risk of developing heart disease (i.e with cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes/high cholesterol/peripheral vascular disease/hypertension/stroke/chronic kidney disease/vascular disease etc) (and calculated risk exceeds 20%)
3. to assess those with intermediate risk (10-20%) and have exertional or other suggestive symptoms
4. to assess patients with above cardiovascular risk factors who intend to start a moderate or high intensity exercise training program above age of 40
5. to assess those undergoing a fitness to work assessment or for insurance purposes
6. to evaluate a patient’s capacity to undertake certain physical activities and/or the planning of an appropriate training program
7. for assessment of prognosis in patients with heart disease and the effect of medical treatment, angioplasty or surgery on symptoms.

How is a Treadmill Stress Test procedure done?

Before being tested, you will be reviewed and examined by a doctor and a resting electrocardiogram will be recorded prior to performing exercise.

The testing consists of walking/jogging/running on a treadmill and the speed and gradient of the treadmill will be increased every 3 minutes. The test may be stopped if and when you develop symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, tired legs, chest pain or other symptoms. The test may also be stopped when you achieve the test target or whenever you request to do so.

Throughout the test, your pulse, blood pressure and electrocardiogram will be monitored. If there is any change in any of these observations which is of concern, the test will be stopped immediately. Your pulse, blood pressure and electrocardiogram will continue to be monitored for some time after the test has been stopped. If you are feeling well and your stress test is normal, you will be allowed to go home.

If there are any abnormalities identified during the stress test your doctor will discuss your options with you. Typically, an abnormal stress test may lead to heart catheterization, changes or addition of medications, or further testing.

How should I prepare for a Treadmill Stress Test?

Information you possess about your health status or previous experience of exercise-related or heart-related symptoms (such as shortness of breath with low-level physical activity, pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest, neck, jaw, back, and/or arms) may affect the safety of your test.

Your prompt reporting of the above and any current infection, headache muscular leg pain or joint pain and any other unusual feelings with effort during the test is of great importance.

You are responsible for disclosing your medical history, as well as symptoms that may occur during the test.If at any time during the test you are feeling unwell in any way, report the symptom immediately.

You are also expected to report all medications (including non-prescription) taken recently, and, in particular, those taken on the day of the test. If you are diabetic, you should ask your doctor for instructions regarding your insulin or diabetic medications on the day of the test.

Prior to the test, it is advisable to have a light meal only and not to eat for an hour beforehand. However, one should not undergo the test while feeling hungry.