Treadmill Stress Test 

• A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well your heart handles work.  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 also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

• When taking the test, the patient is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart.  The test begins at a slow pace on the 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.

• The patient may be asked to breathe into a tube for a couple minutes and the test can be stopped at any time if needed.  After the test is complete, the patient will be asked to sit or lie down and to have their heart and blood pressure checked. 

• Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram and how tired you feel are all monitored during the test. 

For preparation instructions for this procedure, contact the Heart Center at Fairview Park Hospital.