An exercise stress test is a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart.

See also:

• Stress echocardiography
• Thallium stress test

Exercise ECG; ECG - exercise treadmill; EKG - exercise treadmill; Stress ECG; Exercise electrocardiography; Stress test - exercise treadmill

You will walk on a treadmill or pedal on an exercise bicycle while the electrical activity of your heart is measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood pressure readings are taken. This will measure your heart's reaction to your body's increased need for oxygen.

The test continues until:

• You reach a target heart rate
• You develop complications such as chest pain or an exaggerated rise or drop in blood pressure
• ECG changes show that your heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen

You will continue to be monitored for 10 - 15 minutes after exercising, or until your heart rate returns to baseline.

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Review Date: 06/21/2010
Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)