If you've complained of chest pain, if your doctor suspects you have heart disease or if you are at risk for heart disease due to your health history or other risk factors, your doctor may order a treadmill test, also known as a stress test. Treadmill tests are also used to help gauge the effectiveness of treatment if you've already been diagnosed with coronary disease. The results of the stress test can be used to determine future treatment or even to prevent a heart attack.
Function
A treadmill heart test measures the functioning of your heart during physical activity. Your doctor can observe how your heart behaves when it's pumping its hardest. By placing your heart under the stress of running on a treadmill, the doctor may spot an irregular heart beat, a weak valve or some heart blockage, which might not show up during a normal physical exam, the Mayo Clinic explains.
What to Expect
You'll report to a hospital, clinic or testing facility for your stress test. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, the Harvard Medical School advises. A technician will take your blood pressure and perform a resting EKG. She will then attach wires to your chest, and sometimes to your arms and legs. These will help measure your heart function, plotting it on a second EKG that can be compared to the resting EKG. You may also wear a blood pressure cuff during the test. You'll be asked to walk or run on the treadmill for eight to 12 minutes. During this time, the speed and incline of the treadmill will change. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or weakness, alert the technician.
Results
Your doctor will study your EKG and blood pressure readings during the test, as well as any notes the technician made about shortness or breath or chest pain during the test. If you experience any abnormalities on the EKG, particularly if these are accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, these could indicate the presence of heart disease and your doctor will order further testing.
Precautions
If you have heart disease, you may feel chest pain during your treadmill test. Let the technician know about this immediately. If you become dizzy or short of breath, you may need treatment. If you are diabetic, take your insulin or other medication as you normally would the day of the test, if instructed to do so by your doctor. Let the technician know you're a diabetic; exercise can lower blood sugar. Bring your glucose monitor and a snack with you to the test and check your blood sugar after your test, Harvard advises.
