Treadmill Test

How does the treadmill test work?

Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal symptoms and an unremarkable or unchanged ECG while at rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may become unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise.

When is a regular stress test ordered?

A regular stress test is considered in the following circumstances:

  • Patients with symptoms or signs that are suggestive of Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD)
  • Patients with significant risk factors for CAD
  • To evaluate exercise tolerance when patients have unexplained fatigue and shortness of breath
  • To evaluate blood pressure response to exercise in patients with borderline hypertension
  • To look for exercise-induced serious irregular heart beats


How is a regular treadmill stress test performed?

The patient is brought to the exercise laboratory where the heart rate and blood pressure are recorded at rest.
Sticky electrodes are attached to the chest, shoulders and hips and connected to the ECG portion of the Stress test machine. A 12-lead ECG is recorded on paper.
Preparing for the treadmill test:

  • Do not eat or drink for three hours prior to the procedure
  • Specific heart medicines may need to be stopped one or two days prior to the test
  • An explanation of the test is provided and the patient is asked to sign a consent form

How long does the entire test take?

A patient should allow approximately one hour for the entire test, including the preparation.

How safe is treadmill stress test?

The risk of the stress portion of the test is very small and similar to what you would expect from any strenuous form of exercise (jogging in your neighborhood, running up a flight of stairs, etc.). Experienced medical staff are in attendance to manage complications that are rare.

How quickly will I get the results and what will it mean?

Your Cardiologist will discuss the result during your subsequent visit to the hospital. The results of the test may help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of heart disease. In patients with known coronary artery disease (prior heart attack, known coronary blockages, previous treatment with angioplasty, stents or bypass surgery, etc.), the study will help confirm if the patient is in a stable state, or that a new blockage is developing. The results may influence your physician’s decision to change your treatment or recommend additional testing such as Angiogram.