What is a Stress Test?

A treadmill exercise stress/TMT test is used to determine the effects of exercise on the heart. Exercise allows doctors to diagnose the presence or absence of blockages in heart vessels (Coronary Artery Disease). The Stress test is also known as the Treadmill Test (TMT) or Exercises Stress Test. It can play a crucial role in assessing heart conditions. By observing how your heart responds during exercise, this test can help spot potential heart diseases. During a typical exercise stress test, an electrocardiogram (EKG) is used to monitor changes in your heart’s electrical activity.

Why it's done?

A Health Care Provider May Recommend a Stress Test To:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease: The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries get damaged or diseased. Cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries and inflammation usually cause coronary artery disease.
• Diagnose heart rhythm problems: A heart rhythm problem is called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slowly.
• Guide treatment of heart disorders: If you’ve already been diagnosed with a heart condition, an exercise stress test can help your provider know if your treatment is working. The test results also help your provider decide on the best treatment for you.
• Check the heart before surgery: A stress test can help show if surgery, such as a valve replacement or a heart transplant, might be a safe treatment.

If an exercise stress test doesn’t show the cause of symptoms, Dr. Jayesh Sharma may recommend a stress test with imaging.

How Stress Test TMT Works?

• Getting Ready: To keep an eye on your heart’s electrical activity, we’ll attach you to a machine called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). While the test is going on, we’ll also keep tabs on your blood pressure.
• Time to Move: You’ll kick things off by either working with a trainer or hitting the treadmill. As the test goes on, we’ll gradually boost the treadmill’s speed or incline at different stages. This helps step up the intensity of your workout bit by bit.
• Staying in the Loop: As you’re getting active, we’ll keep a close watch on things like your blood pressure, ECG readings, and other important signs. Our goal? To hit a specific heart rate target tailored to your age and fitness level.