It May Be Wise To Check In For A Treadmill Stress Test

There you are, in you new gym clothes and ready to hop on that treadmill. But wait! Have you had your treadmill stress test? A treadmill stress test records the heart's electrical activity (rate and rhythm) during exercise.

The treadmill stress test is done to help the doctor evaluate the patient's cardiac condition related to irregular heart rhythms. It also evaluates if there is a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart with exercise, how hard the heart can work before symptoms develop, and how quickly the heart recovers after a cardiac exercise. It is important for the doctor to know the patient's overall level of cardiovascular conditioning and what his exercise target heart rate should be through the treadmill stress test.

The treadmill stress test works with patients with coronary artery blockages that may have minimal symptoms and an unremarkable or unchanged EKG while at rest. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery that has a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to its area of distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), and the EKG may produce characteristic abnormalities. Most commonly, a motorized treadmill is used for treadmill stress test.

So how is a treadmill stress test done? During the treadmill stress test, the cardiologist and a technician are present. Electrodes will be placed on the chest the same as for an electrocardiogram (EKG). The patient will be asked to walk on a motorized treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill will be gradually increased. The doctor will be looking for changes in the EKG pattern and any symptoms that the patient may experience in the treadmill stress test. The patient may be on the treadmill for up to 15 minutes, depending upon his level of recovery and cardiovascular conditioning. The treadmill stress test will be stopped if the patient becomes too tired, has any symptoms such as chest pain. The treadmill stress test will last about 30 minutes. A doctor must order this treadmill stress test.

Testing teaching videos also can be used for the treadmill stress test. With the results taken from the treadmill stress test, manufacturers of teaching videos can accurately tell if their product is not hazardous to their routine.

The treadmill stress test is capable of diagnosing important disease in approximately 67% or 2/3 rd of patients with coronary artery disease. The risk of the stress portion of the treadmill stress test is very small and similar to what you would expect from any strenuous form of exercise. There are experienced medical staffs in attendance to manage the rare complications like sustained irregular heart beats, unrelieved chest pain or even a heart attack.

The results of the treadmill stress test may help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of heart disease. In patients with known coronary artery disease (prior heart attack, known coronary blockages, previous treatment with angioplasty, stents or bypass surgery, etc.), the treadmill stress test will help confirm that the patient is in a stable state, or that a new blockage is developing. The treadmill stress test may influence your physician's decision to change your treatment or recommend additional testing such as cardiac catheterization, Echo Stress test, or a nuclear stress test.

Health is wealth. So before going into a new lifestyle, better check with a doctor first or your decision to live longer may turn out to be your death wish.

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