Treadmill stress test - stimulating the heart to search for
heart problems and severity of complicat
Treadmill stress test is performed to search for abnormal heart
beat, decrease supply of oxygen/blood to heart, indicate
coronary artery disease, detect irregular heart rhythms and
overall cardiovascular conditioning of the person undergoing a
treadmill stress test.
Treadmill stress test is useful to screen people who desire to
start an exercise program and help to make plans accordingly.
During a treadmill stress test, electrical activity during
exercise or during physical exertion on a treadmill is recorded.
Treadmill stress test mainly monitors the heart rate and heart
rhythm while the patient is walking on a treadmill. A treadmill
stress test also is known as an exercise electrocardiogram.
Treadmill stress test is performed on doctor
request/prescription. A treadmill stress test is very safe,
reliable, non-invasive and not too expensive to do.
In a treadmill stress test the patient is connected to an
electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) machine and a blood pressure cuff is
placed on the arm. Electrodes will be placed on the patient
during the treadmill stress test at different locations on the
arms and chest. A sensor may be attached to the finger of the
patient to measure the level of oxygen in the blood during the
treadmill stress test. EKG and blood pressure records will be
taken before and during the treadmill stress test. Initially
during the treadmill stress test the patient is made to walk on
the treadmill at a slow speed. The pace of the treadmill
increases and the incline is raised during the course of the
treadmill stress test. The test lasts about 10-15 or sometimes
60 minutes depending upon the level of recovery and
cardiovascular conditioning of the person during the treadmill
stress test.
The speed and incline of the treadmill during the treadmill
stress test is increased gradually or in intervals .A
Cardiologist and a technician are present during the treadmill
stress test. Blood pressure rates and breathing rates are
recorded and measured during the test.
During the treadmill stress test the electrodes detect the
electrical impulses generated by the heart, and transmit them to
the ECG/EKG machine. The ECG/EKG machine produces a graph (ECG
tracing) of those cardiac electrical impulses. The doctor
monitors changes in ECG/EKG patterns during the treadmill stress
test. Symptoms experienced by the patient during the treadmill
stress test will be looked at and recorded by the doctor. If the
patient feels tired, has chest pains or is exhausted then the
treadmill stress test is stopped.
Treadmill stress tests help to determine if the blood and oxygen
flow to the heart is sufficient when it is under an increased
workload. Treadmill stress test also indicates coronary artery
disease or abnormal heart rhythms during workload or exertion.
Cardiac condition relating to irregular heart rhythms can be
evaluated during treadmill stress test. Treadmill stress test
helps doctor to detect how hard the heart can work before
symptoms develop, the recovery pace of the heart after exertion,
and the overall level of cardiovascular conditioning. Doctors
can detect the severity of coronary artery disease during the
treadmill stress test. Whether or not drugs which are prescribed
to treat patients are working can be also detected during the
treadmill stress test.
During the treadmill stress test the purpose of increasing to
higher levels of exertion in stages is because problems occur as
the person performs certain activities. During the treadmill
stress test as the person starts increasing the level of
exertion, the heart requires more blood and energy and if the
heart doesn't get it then there is chest pain, breathing
problems or dizziness. If these symptoms appear during the
treadmill stress test, then the problem is recognized and
treatment is started.
Risk involved in the treadmill stress test is very small.
Treadmill stress test is similar to jogging, running a flight of
stairs, etc. However, treadmill stress test is required to be
performed in attendance of technician and medical staff to
manage complications like sustained irregular heart beats,
unrelieved chest pain, heart attack, etc. Treadmill stress test
is an effective way to detect and evaluate problems relating to
the heart and to follow and plan treatment depending upon the
severity of symptoms detected during the treadmill stress test.