Regular Stress Test (Exercise Tolerance Test)

What is an Exercise Tolerance Test?

An Exercise Tolerance Test, also referred to as a Stress Test, (or Regular Treadmill Test), is a test which your doctor has ordered to determine the state of your heart's health. It demonstrates and measures the amount of work you heart can handle.

This evaluation helps answer the following questions:

• Do you have underlying heart disease and, if so, what is the severity?
• What level of physical activity can your heart handle without difficulty?
• What level of physical activity can your body, as a whole, handle without difficulty?

What Can I Expect?

When you arrive at the hospital, please go to the Admitting Department.

After a consent form has been signed, you will be taken into the Stress Testing area. The Stress Test Technician will perform an EKG while you are resting.

When the physician arrives you will exercise on a treadmill while EKGs are being performed and blood pressures are monitored.

After you have exercised on the treadmill, the physician overseeing the test will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure as they come back down to normal. Once the physician finishes with the data collection, the test is over and you will be able to go home.

You may resume your medications as your doctor has ordered and you may eat. It will take 2 to 3 working days for your physician to receive the test results.

Patient Instructions

Wear comfortable loose fitting pants or slacks. You will need shoes that tie and have good traction. Sneakers are preferred. You will be asked to disrobe to your waist and put a gown on.

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANY FOODS OR FLUIDS AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR TEST

Exception: You are allowed a small amount of water for your medication if your doctor has advised you to take a medication.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please call your physician.