Treadmill stress test.

Hi all, My cardiologist has referred me for a treadmill stress test to check my chronotropic response to exercise. Has anyone had one before? From what I've read it's to check my hr during exercise. Any advice or views on it?

Thank

Taz.

[Westie2012]

Hiya, I had an exercise stress test on a treadmill last year , I have a pacemaker and if I’m walking uphill really quickly if I’m in a rush to get to my daughters school I get chest pains and a really pounding heart , I also developed pericarditis and a pericardial effusion after complications a few days after getting my pacemaker and had a long recovery from that so he requested the test . They put a heart monitor on me, then had me sit down while they did an ecg, then I had a mask put on to monitor my breathing , the mask goes over mouth and nose , once that was on they started the test , they asked how fast I walk and set the treadmill at a slow flat rate and level to start then gradually increased the speed and level . They just ask you to walk for as long as you can manage , I was on it for around half an hour I think , I was hoping the test would bring on my symptoms but the treadmill didn’t match how steep the hill is . My test was ok so I’ve been referred to action heart as my cardiologist feels I’ll benefit from cardiac rehab . I’ll be having another treadmill test type assessment ion my first three sessions then see what the cardiac team say. I hope this is helpful .

[Hidden in reply to Westie2012]

Hi, thanks for the reply I sometimes getting a pounding chest too on exertion then my hr becomes erratic going from 40 - 140 then drops again. They have mentioned a pacemaker but they are waiting to see what the exercise test shows before making a decision. Good luck with the cardiac rehab session hopefully it will help get things sorted out too.👍.

[fishonabike]

if you use the search option and look for posts on treadmill test you will find lots of posts about this as it is a fairly comon investigation

also your cardiologist could try harder to use simple terms instead of trying to blind you wih terms like chronotropic 🤷, which just means a change in heart rate - i get very irritated with professionals who use language which does not help their clients understand what they are talking about - it's bad enough having concerns about your health without someone obstructing your understanding of what is happening to you😠

[Hidden in reply to fishonabike]

Hi, thanks for the reply yeah I agree sometimes the doctors do blind us with science which has you searching in Google for answers but I will look on here for previous post. Thanks

Taz.

[Qualipop]

You have electrodes stuck to your chest to do an ECG while exercising. YOu just walk on a treadmill like at the gym which slowly gets faster and harder. You can stop at any time.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Great news, thanks for the info.👍

[Turbo33]

Hi taz I have one every 3years for my hgv cos I had quadruple bypass in 2014 nothing to worry about

[Hidden in reply to Turbo33]

Cheers turbo, hopefully they will be able to get a conclusion to it all. Best wishes.

[Turbo33]

It's like walking then they incline it bit by bit your be fine keep breathing nice and steady I've got stress test with injection this month to speed up heart while they check me out haha

[Hidden in reply to Turbo33]

Thanks turbo, i think mine is a basic stress test without the injection. Good luck with yours hope it all go's well.👍

[Prada47]

Had a few of these I believe the correct name for the test is " Bruce Protocol " I do prefer the tread mill rather than the bike more natural, nothing to worry about you are monitored constantly with I believe a Cardiologist and Nurses on stand by.

Regards

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

Hi Prada, thanks for the reply and info hopefully it all goes well and I can get a conclusion to it all.

[Nelson71]

they take your HR up to 100% of your max. Any anomalies will show up. You’re hooked up to an ECG and it’s a brisk pace but they keep increasing the incline till you hit 100% of max HR or 7 mins whichever comes quicker.

[Hidden in reply to Nelson71]

Thanks for the info hopefully it won't be too long before I go for the test and get some results back.

[Turbo33]

Thanks taz let me no how you get on pal

[Hidden in reply to Turbo33]

Will do mate👍

[Turbo33]

Hi taz gad tilt table stress test yesterday got to go for angiogram I can't work till they see what's going on guttedHow are you anyway

[Hidden in reply to Turbo33]

Hi turbo, i had my stress test 2 weeks ago but I've heard nothing back yet. I think the test went ok but I did have some ectopics/palpitations during it and my heart rate shot up to 186bpm but that was on a very fast walk like I wanted to run etc with an incline. The nurse did mention it to her colleague about it getting up there quick so I'm not sure if that's a bad sign. Going on my maximum hr 220- 52 it should of been 168 at 100%. The nurse did ask if I'd had a table tilt test previously which I haven't so I'm not sure if that's the next step?.Sorry to hear you can't work till you've had the angiogram hopefully it won't be too long now. Keep us updated on how things go.👍

[Turbo33]

Will do pal take care hope all is well