What is a treadmill test?
A treadmill stress test is used to assess the effects of exercise on the heart. Exercise enables medical professionals to identify irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and determine whether or not coronary artery disease is present.
This examination entails stationary treadmill walking while your heart's electrical activity is monitored. The treadmill's speed and inclination increase during the test. The findings demonstrate how effectively your heart adapts to the strain of various degrees of activity.
Why is a treadmill test important?
- To check your cardiac health before surgery: When you are healthy enough to undergo surgery, such as a heart transplant or valve replacement, your doctor may utilize a stress test.
- To find the cause of coronary artery disease: The main blood channels that provide oxygen, nutrients, and blood to your heart are called coronary arteries. When these arteries become damaged or ill, generally due to a build-up of deposits containing cholesterol and other chemicals, coronary artery disease results (plaques).
- To determine cardiac rhythm issues (arrhythmias): When the electrical signals that regulate your heartbeat aren't functioning properly, cardiac arrhythmias might happen. Your heart may beat excessively quickly, too slowly, or infrequently due to an arrhythmia.
- To manage the treatment of cardiac conditions: An exercise stress test might help your doctor decide if your current treatment is effective if you have previously been given a heart problem diagnosis. Your doctor can also make treatment decisions for you based on the test results.
How to prepare for a treadmill test?
Before doing a stress test, you could be asked to refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking for a while. Caffeine could perhaps be avoided the day before and on exam day. Before the test, discuss with your doctor if it is okay for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Your medical history, exercise frequency, and intensity level should all be discussed with your doctor. This aids in figuring out how much exercise you should have before the test. To rule out any health issues that could impact the outcome of your test, your doctor will also examine your heart and lungs.
What happens during a treadmill test?
A nurse or technician will apply adhesive patches (electrodes) on your chest, legs, and arms. To make the electrodes stick better, body hair may be shaved. The sensors are linked to a computer, which records the electrical activity of your heart. During the test, a cuff on your arm measures your blood pressure. You can be asked to breathe into a tube during the test to demonstrate how effectively you can breathe while exercising.
Most likely, you'll start slowly on a treadmill. The activity grows harder as the exam goes on. The railing on the treadmill can be used for balance. Holding on too firmly might have an impact on the outcome.
You keep working out until your heart rate reaches the desired level or until you have indications and symptoms that make it impossible for you to continue. You and your doctor should talk about how much exercise is safe for you. If the exam makes you feel uncomfortable, you can stop it. If there are any problems, your doctor will monitor the activity of your heart and halt the test.
What happens after a treadmill test?
After your activity is over, you might be requested to stand still for a few seconds before lying down for a while with the monitors attached. As your breathing and heart rate return to normal, your doctor can examine you for any issues. You can resume your regular activities once your exercise stress test is over unless your doctor advises you differently.
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