The tread mill stress test records the heart’s electrical activity, including rate and rhythm, during exercise, most often for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Exercise places stress on the heart, and performing a treadmill stress test can bring out abnormalities caused by partial blockages in the coronary arteries – abnormalities that may not be apparent at rest.
During the test technician will place electrodes on your chest, You will be asked to perform a “graded” exercise test on a treadmill. The exercise protocol that you will follow will be determined by the cardiologist supervising your test but will begin at a relatively easy level and become progressively more difficult with each subsequent stage Your blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG will be recorded at frequent intervals at rest and during exercise and after exercise. The physician or technologist may stop the test at any time for medical reasons, and you may ask to stop the test at any time due to fatigue or discomfort.