What is an Exercise/Cardiac Stress Test?
An exercise stress test is a simple and common investigation used to measure the capacity of the heart, lungs and blood vessels to cope with the extra demands of exercise. Electrodes are placed on the chest with leads attached to a computerised ECG machine designed to report how your heart responds to walking on a treadmill. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. If the blood supply to the heart muscle is inadequate the electrical properties change and this can be picked up by the skin electrodes on the chest wall. Your blood pressure, respiration rate and level of fatigue will also be closely monitored throughout the test. The results of the test can be used to create an exercise program tailored to your health and fitness levels. 

What To Expect?
You will be hooked up to leads so the doctor can monitor your heart both at rest and during a walk on the treadmill. Initially you will walk slowly; the speed will be increased for a faster pace and the treadmill is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill. This causes the heart to work harder and helps the doctor determine the fitness of the heart. You can stop the test at any time if needed. However for best results we ask that you try to walk for as long as possible. Before, during and after the test you will have your blood pressure, heart rate, ECG recordings and your perceived feeling of exertion recorded.

How Can I Prepare?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that you would normally exercise in, eg. Shorts, T-Shirt, running shoes, limited jewellery, hair tied back. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking for two hours prior to the test. Your doctor may also ask you to avoid having caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test.