Cardiac Stress Test (stress ECG) in Hull
Treadmill test
An exercise tolerance test, also known as a stress test, checks your heart's activity as you exercise. The test should only take around 30 minutes.
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Your doctor may refer you for this test if you have had a heart operation or are experiencing:
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Chest pain
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Breathlessness
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Palpitation
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Fainting as you exercise
This test will let your Cardiologist see how your heart is working. You may also have the test as part of our many screening programmes for coronary artery disease or sudden cardiac death.
What is Cardiac Stress Test?
A Cardiac Stress Test, also known as an exercise stress test or treadmill test, is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate how your heart functions during physical activity. Since exercising makes the heart pump harder and faster, a stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within the heart that might not be noticeable otherwise.
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For patients who cannot exercise due to medical conditions, a pharmacological stress test can be performed, where medication is administered to simulate the heart's response to exercise.
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The test helps identify various heart-related issues, guide treatment plans, and determine the appropriate level of physical activity for patients.
Make sure you are well rested that day and try to avoid any heavy exercise. If you are feeling unwell (with something like a cold or chest infection) you need to let us know. We will need to reschedule your test to make sure the results are accurate.
It is really important to do your absolute best in this test. We want you to put in as much effort as you can, and to continue until you are exhausted. If you feel like this is not possible, contact us before the test.
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One of the cardiac physiologists will put ten sticky patches (electrodes) on your chest. These connect to the ECG machine and will record your heart's rhythm and electrical activity.
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We will first take a resting ECG and put a blood pressure cuff on your arm. During the test, we will take your blood pressure every three minutes.
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When you get on the treadmill, you will start walking slowly at first. After every three minutes, we will increase the speed and slope of the machine. This will make your heart and body work faster. You should keep going as long as you can, but after 15 minutes, we will start to slow down the treadmill. If you need to, you can ask for the treadmill to be stopped at any point during the test, but try to do as much as you can. Make sure you wait until the treadmill has completely stopped before stepping off.
Schedule Your Cardiac Stress Test in Hull today
Take the next step in understanding your heart health with Hull Cardiology's. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and discover the benefits of personalised Cardiac Stress Test in Hull. Trust us to provide you with the insights you need for a healthier heart.