Stress Test (Treadmill Exercise)
A crucial instrument in assessing and caring for patients with established or suspected coronary heart disease. Although stress testing can be conducted through various methods, the most frequently employed approaches involve combining electrocardiography with exercise or incorporating imaging.
A stress test (also known as a treadmill or exercise stress test) evaluates how your heart and circulatory system handle physical exertion by gradually increasing the workload on a treadmill while monitoring your heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure
Why it’s used: It helps determine whether your heart is receiving adequate blood flow during exercise, identifies hidden coronary artery disease, assesses functional capacity, and guides treatment decisions.
How long it takes: The full appointment is typically about 45–60 minutes including setup, warm-up, treadmill exercise (usually up to 12 minutes), and cool-down monitoring.
How to prepare:
- Wear comfortable athletic clothing and shoes suitable for walking/running.
- Avoid eating heavy meals within 3-4 hours of the test; avoid caffeine, smoking and heavy exercise for at least 8-24 hours as instructed.
- Bring a list of your medications
What to expect: You’ll be connected to electrodes and a blood pressure cuff, then walk on the treadmill while monitoring is continuous. The treadmill speed and incline gradually increase until you reach your target heart rate or until symptoms occur. After exercise, you will be monitored during the cool-down phase.
Results & follow-up: The cardiologist reviews your test data, which helps evaluate your heart’s performance under stress. Your doctor will discuss the results and any next steps with you.