Exercise Treadmill Testing

 Exercise Treadmill Testing

What is an Exercise Stress Test?

A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

A person taking the test:

  • is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart.
  • walks slowly in place on a treadmill. Then the speed is increased for a faster pace and the treadmill is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill.
  • can stop the test at any time if needed.
  • afterwards will sit or lie down to have their heart and blood pressure checked.

Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), and how tired you feel are monitored during the test.
   
Healthy people who take the test are at very little risk. It's about the same as if they walk fast or jog up a big hill. Medical professionals should be present in case something unusual happens during the test.

A physician may recommend an exercise stress test to:

  • diagnose coronary artery disease.
  • diagnose a possible heart-related cause of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or lightheadedness.
  • determine a safe level of exercis.
  • check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve coronary artery circulation in patients with coronary artery disease.
  • predict risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as a heart attack.

Depending on the results of the exercise stress test, the physician may recommend more tests such as a nuclear stress test or cardiac catheterization.

Preparation for the stress test:

  • No food or drink four (4) hours prior to your appointment.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking or jogging. No heels or sandals. Do not wear a dress, full slip or tight jeans.
  • Bring your blood pressure medications and inhalers (if applicable) with you the day of your test.
  • Take all other medicines that are not listed below with a small amount of water the morning of your test.
  • Do not take the following medications the day before and the morning of your test:
    • Acebutolol (Sectral)
    • Atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic)
    • Bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac)
    • Carvedilol (Coreg)
    • Cialis
    • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac)
    • Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne)
    • Levitra
    • Metoprolol (Lopressor)
    • Nadolol (Corgard, Corzide)
    • Pindolol (Visken)
    • Propranolol (Inderal, Inderide LA)
    • Sotalol (Betapace) *discuss with ordering doctor
    • Timolol (Blocadren, Timolide)
    • Viagra
    • Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)

Test results

If a Cardiology Associates of Gainesville (CAG) physician or nurse practitioner ordered your test, you should receive your test results either by telephone or by mail in approximately 7 business days. After that time, if you have not received your test results, you may call our office at 352-264-2500 ext. 499 to reach our patient message center. You will need to leave your name, telephone number, date and type of testing, and the ordering physician’s name. You will receive a call back within 24 hours with an update regarding your test results.

If a physician other than CAG ordered your test, please contact their office for your test results.