Our Services

Medical Imaging & Screening Centre

Treadmill Monitoring/ Exercise stress testing

Treadmill monitoring or Exercise Stress testing is used to provide information about how the heart responds to stress.

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 involves walking on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty. Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and how tired you feel are monitored throughout the examination.

An exercise stress test  may be requested 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 exercise
• 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, your cardiologist may recommend more tests such as a nuclear stress test, cardiac catheterization or CT cardiac angiography.

How is the test performed?

You will be asked to wear comfortable walking shoes or trainers during the examination and clothes appropriate for walking/moderate exercise. During the examination you will have small electrodes placed on your chest to monitor the heart. 

You will be required to walk 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. You may also be asked to breathe into a tube for a few minutes.

You may stop the test at any time if needed and afterwards you will be asked sit or lie down to have your heart and blood pressure checked. The examination will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Medical professionals will be present throughout in case something unusual happens during the test. We provide on site showering facilities, should you require them after the examination.

 
 

Consultants: (click name to view bio)

• Dr Geoff Richardson

  Dr Geoff Richardson

• Dr P Donnelly

  Dr P Donnelly

• Dr C Hanratty

  Dr C Hanratty

• Dr M Spence

  Dr M Spence

• Dr Gavin Dalzell

  Dr Gavin Dalzell