A treadmill fitness test is also known as a stress test, or an exercise tolerance test. It is used to examine the blood flow to your heart and is one of the best tools for diagnosing heart disease. It is also the most accurate way to determine your true maximum heart rate. Knowing what to expect before the test will ease any anxiety and allow you to prepare for the procedure.
Purpose
A treadmill fitness test is ordered by a doctor if you have experienced symptoms of coronary artery. It is also used to "assess the effectiveness of heart disease treatment" and "gauge the safety of a proposed exercise program," according to experts at Harvard Medical School. You might also need a stress test if you are older than 40 years of age and are a smoker or have risk factors including high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Procedure
The test involves walking on a treadmill for about 10 minutes. You'll start out at an easy pace, but will speed up throughout the test. The incline of the treadmill will also increase as you exercise. Before you step onto the treadmill, you'll be hooked up to an electrocardiograph, also known as an EKG. Wires, called leads, will be attached to your arms and one leg to monitor your heart's electrical pattern. Your heart rate and blood pressure are also observed. A maximal test is preferred by many doctors and continues until your heart rate stops rising. This indicates that you've reached your true maximum heart rate or the fastest your heart can beat. Another type of test is called a submaximal test and it stops when you've reached 85 percent of your estimated maximum heart rate.
Results
It can take your doctor a few days to assess your test. If you didn't have any discomfort during the test and the EKG remained consistent, it is likely you'll receive normal results. However, if you have chest pains or discomfort and the EKG reveals issues, it is likely the results will strongly suggest coronary artery disease. If you had discomfort with no EKG indication of problems or if the EKG revealed changes in your heart's electrical pattern but you did not experience pain, the results could be inconclusive.
Risks
If you are healthy, treadmill fitness tests pose little risk, especially if you've been examined by a doctor beforehand. However, if you experience any pain during the test, say something immediately. Chest pain could be an indication that your heart isn't getting enough oxygen. Alerting doctors to anything unusual will help them interpret the test results and get you the treatment you need.
Considerations
Wear something comfortable for working out. Tell the doctor whether you have any conditions that could affect the test, including arthritis, which can make walking on the treadmill difficult, or diabetes, which could cause your blood sugar to drop while you're exercising. Eat something small before the test to supply enough energy for exercise, but avoid overeating, which could make walking uncomfortable.
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