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An Exercise Stress Test allows your doctor to evaluate how well your heart functions when it has to work harder. You will walk on a treadmill while your heart rhythm and blood pressure are monitored and recorded. This test may help to detect problems that are not found while you are at rest. This test may also be called a "Treadmill Test" or an "Exercise ECG Test.”
The electrocardiogram (ECG) shows the electrical activity in your heart. During exercise, the physician or a designee will carefully watch the ECG for any evidence of heart problems such as a heart rate that is too fast or too slow, irregular heart beats (arrhythmia) or changes in the shape of the ECG complex. These changes may mean areas of your heart are not getting enough blood flow during exercise due to narrowed or diseased arteries in your heart.
A technician will prepare your chest with an abrasive lotion and then place sticky patches on your chest. These patches will be attached to the wires of the ECG machine. Before exercising, an electrocardiogram will be done with you lying down and standing up. You will be instructed on how to step onto the treadmill and how to hold onto the rails to maintain your balance while you are on the treadmill.
A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm and a blood pressure reading will be taken before you start and about every 3 minutes until you have completed the test. A cardiologist, an exercise physiologist, a physician assistant (PA) or a nurse practitioner (NP), along with an ECG technician will be with you throughout the test. You will begin by walking slowly on the treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill may increase every 3 minutes. You will be asked to report any discomfort such as chest pain, chest pressure or shortness of breath.
The average walking time is six to nine minutes though the test may be stopped if you develop abnormal ECG changes, if you are too tired to continue, if you develop significant symptoms or if you have reached your peak heart rate. At the end of the test, the treadmill will gradually slow down and you will be assisted to a chair or bed. Your ECG and blood pressure will continue to be monitored for an additional three minutes or until you are symptom-free and your ECG is normal. The technician will remove the electrodes and blood pressure cuff at the completion of the test.
Contact the doctor who ordered the test to obtain the results. Please note that if the results of your test need to be sent to an ordering doctor who does not practice at Doylestown Hospital, you will need to provide the doctor's full name, address and if possible FAX number. You may provide this information on the day of your visitor or call 215.345.2231 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) shows the electrical activity in your heart. During exercise, the physician or a designee will carefully watch the ECG for any evidence of heart problems such as a heart rate that is too fast or too slow, irregular heart beats (arrhythmia) or changes in the shape of the ECG complex. These changes may mean areas of your heart are not getting enough blood flow during exercise due to narrowed or diseased arteries in your heart.
A technician will prepare your chest with an abrasive lotion and then place sticky patches on your chest. These patches will be attached to the wires of the ECG machine. Before exercising, an electrocardiogram will be done with you lying down and standing up. You will be instructed on how to step onto the treadmill and how to hold onto the rails to maintain your balance while you are on the treadmill.
A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm and a blood pressure reading will be taken before you start and about every 3 minutes until you have completed the test. A cardiologist, an exercise physiologist, a physician assistant (PA) or a nurse practitioner (NP), along with an ECG technician will be with you throughout the test. You will begin by walking slowly on the treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill may increase every 3 minutes. You will be asked to report any discomfort such as chest pain, chest pressure or shortness of breath.
The average walking time is six to nine minutes though the test may be stopped if you develop abnormal ECG changes, if you are too tired to continue, if you develop significant symptoms or if you have reached your peak heart rate. At the end of the test, the treadmill will gradually slow down and you will be assisted to a chair or bed. Your ECG and blood pressure will continue to be monitored for an additional three minutes or until you are symptom-free and your ECG is normal. The technician will remove the electrodes and blood pressure cuff at the completion of the test.
Contact the doctor who ordered the test to obtain the results. Please note that if the results of your test need to be sent to an ordering doctor who does not practice at Doylestown Hospital, you will need to provide the doctor's full name, address and if possible FAX number. You may provide this information on the day of your visitor or call 215.345.2231 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
