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Exercise Stress Testing

What Is Exercise Stress Testing?

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Exercise stress testing (also referred to as treadmill testing or exercises testing) shows doctors how well a patient’s heart functions when exposed to increased aerobic activity.  The test also helps doctors better understand the nature and location of blockages or complications.   

Generally, the harder the body works, the harder the heart works.  However, when arteries are blocked, the heart must work even harder than normal for moderate amounts of stress or exertion.  Through exercise testing, doctors can diagnose heart disease, identify heart-related pains masked by symptoms like lightheadedness or shortness of breath, or predict the patient’s risk of heart attack.  Exercise stress testing also helps doctors recommend appropriate levels of exercise based on what the patient can handle.        

Exercise stress testing is a non-surgical, outpatient procedure.  Essentially, patients walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds for a certain period of time.  Doctors monitor the patient's heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure to better understand the heart’s response to the increased workload.  During the exercise testing, the rates and pressure should gradually increase.  After testing, patients come to a resting position (sitting or lying down) at which time the doctor checks their heart rate and blood pressure again.  Patients can stop the testing at anytime, although, there is very little risk for healthy people.  The treadmill testing simulates a brisk walk or slight jog up a small hill.
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