The treadmill test is a method of functional diagnostics in which an ECG is recorded during intense physical activity.
The study allows you to identify hidden signs of myocardial ischemia. The essence of the method is to change the myocardial oxygen consumption against the background of physical activity. As a result, signs of myocardial ischemia are recorded in real time on electrocardiography. This allows the doctor to fix the maximum permissible load level for the patient. A special treadmill is used for the study. By accelerating the movement or changing the degree of inclination, the doctor can dose the load on the patient. At the AlterMedica medical center, the treadmill test is carried out using modern equipment from a European manufacturer. The procedure is carried out by experienced medical personnel, and highly qualified doctors interpret the results.
How is the treadmill test performed?
Before performing a routine treadmill test
For each patient, the maximum load level is calculated taking into account age, gender, height and weight.
When conducting a treadmill test with gas analysis
the load continues until the patient reaches the anaerobic threshold, determined by the concentration of gases exhaled by the patient (individual maximum tolerated load).
The patient is stripped to the waist, and electrodes connected to measuring equipment are placed on the chest. An ECG of the heart is performed at rest. Throughout the test, blood pressure is constantly measured and an ECG is recorded.
When conducting a stress test, various research protocols can be used, mainly a protocol is used in which the load is gradually increased at certain time intervals (most often after 3 minutes). The functional diagnostics doctor can increase the load by controlling the speed of the treadmill and the angle of inclination.
Carrying out the test
The treadmill test is performed in a specially equipped room as follows:
- Electrodes that read heart rhythms are attached to the patient’s chest;
- During the procedure, the patient begins to move on a treadmill;
- the first phase of the test is slow walking;
- the load level increases every 2-3 minutes (the speed of movement and the angle of inclination of the track increases);
- data on heart function are continuously recorded on the ECG;
- at a certain point, the doctor stops the procedure with a gradual reduction in the load.
The study is completed either after receiving complete information, or when the patient complains about his health and signs of coronary heart disease or angina pectoris.
The received data is processed immediately, and the conclusion is given to the patient no more than 20 minutes after the end of the test. If abnormalities are detected on the ECG, the patient is referred for consultation to a cardiologist.
To get more information about the procedure or sign up for an examination, call the clinic or leave a request online.
Types of treadmill test
Routine treadmill test with ECG
Possibilities
- Early diagnosis and assessment of the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD), arterial hypertension, heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias).
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of cardiac vessels.
- Assessing the adequacy of drug treatment.
Treadmill test with gas analysis
Possibilities
- Along with the above possibilities, the anaerobic threshold is determined, lung function, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide emission, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations on exhalation are assessed.
- The level of physical development of the patient, the correspondence of his biological and actual age is determined, and an individual safe training regimen is selected.
Stress test with echocardiography (stress echocardiography)
The load can be dosed using a treadmill test
or a bicycle ergometer.
Possibilities
- Study of the degree of contractility of the walls of the left ventricle, assessment of intracardiac circulation.
- Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, assessment of myocardial viability after myocardial infarction or prolonged ischemia, assessment of the contractility of various segments of the heart muscle.
Treadmill test with Doppler ultrasound of arterial blood flow
Possibilities
- Assessment of the severity of ischemia, arterial insufficiency of the lower extremity vessels.
Indications for the procedure
Doctors at the AlterMedica Medical Center recommend performing a treadmill test if the following indications exist:
- pain in the chest and behind the sternum;
- determination of exercise tolerance;
- identification of the patient’s belonging to a risk group for developing hypertension;
- assessment of the patient’s professional suitability (when working in extreme conditions);
- diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders;
- determination of latent cardiac circulatory failure against the background of hypercholesterolemia;
- determination of exercise tolerance in patients with coronary heart disease (to assess the functional class of angina pectoris);
- assessment of the effectiveness of therapy and rehabilitation in patients with coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction;
- determination of the working capacity of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Contraindications
You should refuse to perform the study in the following cases:
- acute myocardial infarction (first 2-5 days);
- heart defects;
- acute myocarditis or pericarditis;
- acute dissecting aortic aneurysm;
- severe heart failure;
- uncontrolled heart rhythm disturbances;
- hypertensive crisis;
- history of thromboembolic complications;
- unstable angina.
An experienced doctor should determine contraindications to the treadmill test. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist before the procedure. If limitations to the study are identified, the specialist will offer alternative diagnostic methods.
Preparing for the study
Before the treadmill test, it is necessary to stop some medications.
Among the medications whose intake is temporarily suspended are long-acting nitrates and beta-blockers. Drugs in these groups reduce heart rate and dilate coronary arteries. This may distort the results of the study. Cancellation must be agreed upon with the attending physician. The day before the test, it is recommended to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee. On the day of the procedure, a light breakfast and a small amount of water are allowed.
You must also come to the treadmill test with ECG results.
How does the procedure work?
Immediately before the study, blood pressure is measured.
To record an ECG, electrodes are fixed to the chest, and a tonometer cuff is placed on the upper arm. During the examination, electrocardiography is recorded in three standard leads. After preparation, the treadmill begins to move. The initial speed is 2.7 km/h. Every 3 minutes the speed and incline increase. ECG data is also recorded every 3 minutes. If the heart has not adapted to the load, symptoms of ischemia appear. The average duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes. Indications for stopping the study are patient complaints, registration of myocardial ischemia on the ECG, or achievement of submaximal heart rate.
Decoding the results
The test result is considered positive if the following signs are present:
- the appearance of chest pain (angina attack);
- development of a stable form of ventricular tachycardia;
- ST segment depression that lasts more than a minute;
- ST segment elevation by more than 1 mm.
If the patient has completed the calculated load, the test is negative. However, this result does not always guarantee the absence of damage to the coronary vessels. Therefore, the doctor may recommend performing a coronary angiography to clarify the diagnosis.
Why choose NEARMEDIC?
Qualified personnel
Bicycle ergometry (treadmill test) is performed by qualified cardiologists with many years of experience in conducting electrocardiographic examinations. Experienced specialists, candidates of medical sciences, doctors of the highest category will interpret the treadmill test and, if necessary, give valuable recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Reliable high-precision equipment
To conduct the treadmill test in Moscow, expert equipment from the world's leading manufacturers of medical equipment is used. The rhythm and pulsation of the heart are recorded by precise and modern devices through several independent channels, blood pressure is measured by automatic devices, which eliminates the unreliability of the results.
Treadmill test - a method for studying the function of the cardiovascular system
About cookie technology
The site uses “cookie” technology to create statistical reporting. A "cookie" is a small amount of data sent by a website that is stored by your computer's browser on your computer's hard drive. “Cookies” contain information that may be necessary for the Site - to save your settings for browsing options and collect statistical information on the Site, i.e. which pages you visited, what was downloaded, the domain name of the Internet provider and the country of the visitor, as well as the addresses of third-party websites from which the transition to the Site was made and beyond. However, all this information is in no way related to you as an individual. Cookies do not record your email address or any personal information about you. This technology is also used on the Site by the web analytics services Yandex.Metrica and Google Analytics.
In addition, we use standard web server logs to count the number of visitors and evaluate the technical capabilities of our Site. We use this information to determine how many people visit the Site and organize pages in the most user-friendly manner, ensure the Site is compatible with the browsers they use, and make the content on our pages as useful as possible for our visitors. We record information about movements on the Site, but not about individual visitors to the Site, so no specific information regarding you personally will be stored or used by the Site Administration without your consent
To view material without cookies, you can set your browser so that it does not accept cookies or notifies you when they are sent (browser settings vary, so we advise you to consult the “Help” section of your browser and find out how to change machine installation using “cookies”).
Sharing information
The Site Administration under no circumstances sells or rents out your personal information to any third parties. We also do not disclose the personal information you provide to us.
Ensuring the security of personal data, the legality and fairness of their processing is one of the priorities of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution "OKB".
The conceptual basis for the activities of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution "OKB" when processing personal data is contained in the document provided. Regulations on the processing and protection of personal data of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution "OKB"
Reviews of doctors providing the service - Treadmill Test
Thanks to the coordinated work of all the doctors and medical staff of the Center, I was provided with timely emergency care, and I am alive!
On October 28, 2020, he was brought by ambulance with an extensive myocardial infarction and stenting was performed. I thank Nadezhda Sergeevna Pakhomya! Her high level of professionalism combined with personal... Read full review Yulia Vladimirovna M.
26.04.2021
On October 30, 2020, I was hospitalized at the emergency clinic, I want to express my deep gratitude to all the employees who worked that day (unfortunately I can’t write all the full names), very qualified medical personnel, and I also express my gratitude to all the medical personnel who ... Read full review
Valentina Vasilievna S
05.11.2020
