Medical professionals use treadmill exercise stress tests to measure your body's --- and particularly your heart's --- tolerance for different levels of exercise. Depending on your symptoms and the results of the test, you doctor can use knowledge gleaned from the exercise stress test to make appropriate recommendations regarding certain aspects of your treatment, such as medication and lifestyle changes.
What Your Doctor Is Looking For
Your doctor may suspect cardiac implications if you report such symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. If that is the case, the doctor may order a treadmill exercise stress test to better understand how your heart performs under exertion. If you have already experienced a heart attack and/or you have undergone cardiac surgery, your doctor may use the results of an exercise stress test to measure the extent of damage caused by your heart attack and to determine the necessity for further intervention. Additionally, if you have certain risk factors, such as heart disease or diabetes that can make exercise risky, your doctor may order a stress test so that he can make appropriate exercise recommendations to you.
Preparing For the Test
It is important that you not eat or drink anything other than water for 4 hours before undergoing exercise stress testing. For 24 hours before the test, you should avoid any foods or beverages that contain caffeine. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it raises your heart rate and can potentially alter the results of the test. Nicotine is also a stimulant; therefore, you should avoid smoking the day of your test. With the exception of over-the-counter medications, take all doctor-prescribed medications as you normally would. However, follow your doctor's instructions closely, as there are several prescription medications, as well, that you will want to avoid prior to an exercise stress test.
Taking the Test
Before you begin your exercise stress test, a technician will take measurements of your heart rate and blood pressure to compare them to readings that will be taken. The technician will then place several electrodes on your arms, legs and chest. These electrodes will measure your body's response to exercise. Another device used to measure your exercise tolerance during a stress test is a blood pressure cuff. During the test, the only thing you will notice is the intermittent tightening of the blood pressure cuff on your arm as it takes measurements of your blood pressure.
At the start of the stress test, you will begin walking on the treadmill. As the test progresses, the technician will increase both speed and incline of the treadmill, thereby increasing your level of exertion. You will stop exercising when you become exhausted; however, before then the technician will ask you questions regarding how you are feeling. It is important for you to report any symptoms you are feeling, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. After you have reached the point of exhaustion, you will continue to walk slowly on the treadmill so that you can gradually return your heart rate and blood pressure back to normal.
Results
Normal results of an exercise stress test, as evaluated by a cardiologist, are measured changes that reflect heart rate and blood pressure elevations proportionate to your increased exertion. However, results indicating potential cardiac implications are those that reveal excessive stress on the heart during exercise; heart rate abnormalities, or arrhythmias; potential blockage of arteries, or coronary artery disease and just general lack of physical fitness. After receiving the cardiologist's report, your doctor will speak with you about your results and make appropriate recommendations for interventions based on them.
