Stress exercise test

[Jimbod]

Hi all could anyone tell me what's involved when taking stress test please? I got to have one to get my hgv license back. Also I'm not sure if it will be treadmill, or exercise bike. Thanks in advance.

[Just-Wanna-Run]

I had mine on a treadmill with a small incline. I was only on it a few minutes. I only had to walk on it and it was running quite slowly so more of a normal walking pace. . I had the pads on my chest and back to measure the heart and a blood pressure cuff on.

[Jimbod in reply to Just-Wanna-Run]

Thanks for the reply , did you get results there and then?

[Just-Wanna-Run in reply to Jimbod]

No, it was a few days later from the cardiologist. Nothing was said during it, but I had a student in the room and the nurse doing the tests was pointing out things on the monitor. My test showed ST depression so I was then referred for an angiogram.

[Jimbod in reply to Just-Wanna-Run]

Oh thanks for your help. Hope all is well. Cheers.

[Just-Wanna-Run in reply to Jimbod]

I'm really good, my angiogram was clear but the pressure from the small vessels was poor so I've been diagnosed with microvascular dysfunction. With the right medication, I'm now able to run 5k, but still a way to go to get back to my half marathons. Hope you get a good result 🤞

[Hatchjd]

I have had two. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. The full test lasts 12 minutes with the average person lasting around 9 minutes. An EKG will be done while lying down then you move to the treadmill. It starts with a slow walking pace then gradually increases in pace and incline. The last couple of minutes of the full test are at a jogging pace if you can tolerate it. They will stop the test early if you get tired, have a problem or if the EKG shows changes.

[Jimbod in reply to Hatchjd]

Cheers for the info. Take care.

[firstlight40 in reply to Hatchjd]

Good to know about this and the average result. I did my test back in early July and was disappointed to be stopped after 11 mins 45 secs at the end of stage 4 because my systolic BP was hitting 220.

[dunestar]

I did one with an exercise bike, semi-reclined. It wasn't too bad. You have to maintain a certain pace. They inject you with drugs to speed up the heart. With mine the main thing was not to stop too suddenly. The worst bit was I had an automatic blood pressure cuff on which kept squeezing my arm at regular intervals. I got the results there and then. Not good when they say we'd better call in the consultant to have a look. The scan showed "fairly global ischaemia" so I was diagnosed with angina. A subsequent angiogram revealed no major blockages in the main arteries, so I was diagnosed with "probable microvascular angina".

[Jimbod in reply to dunestar]

Thanks for that, hope your doing ok.

[Bigrig]

Hi JimbodTo get HGV licence back DVLA normally require you to pass the 1st 3 stages of the "Bruce Protocol" on a treadmill - each stage is 3 mins long & increases speed & slope, you will be wired up for ECG & blood pressure during the test - I passed mine 18 months ago after my CABGx3 but will have to pass it every 3 years to renew my HGV licence

[Jimbod in reply to Bigrig]

Thanks for the info Bigrig, was you told you passed it on the day or did you have to wait? I'm desperate to get back to work but dvla so back logged due to covid.

[Bigrig in reply to Jimbod]

Yes they told me then & there, Hosp said they'd email results to DVLA next day but this took 1 month ! after DVLA had results I got my licence in 2 days, actually arrived on 23 March 2020 just as Covid restrictions started - so didn't start back till Aug 2020