The treadmill is a test in cardiology that evaluates, indirectly, possible blockages in the coronary arteriesThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that.
It also helps evaluate the cardiovascular condition.
Recordings of important information
Complementary information on the heartbeat and on the bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure after effort is also recorded during a treadmill exam.
Simple test
The treadmill exam is simple, but asks for a physical effort. The goal is to see how the heart reacts to an effort.
It is possible that the technologist will demonstrate how easy it is to walk on the treadmill. Do not hesitate to ask them.
No particular preparation
The treadmill test does not require any preparation. It is not necessary to fast, but we suggest eating something light before this exam.
Medication intake
Your doctor will inform you if you need to stop certain medications in preparation for the examination. If no specific instructions have been given to you, you should take them as usual.
Appointment needed
An appointment is necessary for the treadmill test since it is done at an external unit.
In preparation
The day of your exam, you must bring comfortable shoes to your appointment.
Sandals or high heel shoes are not permitted for security reasons.
You must then remove all upper body clothing and wear a hospital gown.
The technologist needs your updated list of medication to complete the information. You must therefore remember to carry your list with you.
You will be asked to lie on a bed for the installation of electrodes.
These sensors placed on your skin record the electricity produced by your heart during the examination.
For a more effective electric contact
The keratin on our skin can reduce the electric amplitude of the heart. To prevent this, the skin is lightly scratched with a piece of sandpaper.
A box at your waist
The sensors are connected with wires to a box that records information. This box is at your waist during the test.
Tensiometer on your arm
A device to measure your bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure at different moments during the test is installed around your arm.
We are now ready for the exam!
Doctor, I cannot run!
Yes, the treadmill exam demands an effort. However, it does not necessarily require jogging or running.
The technologist may demonstrate how to walk on the treadmill. Do not hesitate to ask him or her.
Don’t worry
There are different ways to increase your heartbeat on the treadmill. The speed and the inclination of the machine intensify throughout the test.
For patients who are less active physically, there are slower speeds and smaller inclinations that can be set on the treadmill.
A person in better shape will be tested on a different protocol, since the heartbeat would not increase quickly enough under the same conditions.
The goal is to increase the heart rate
The purpose of the examination is to increase your heart rate to a certain level so that the examination is meaningful and conclusions can be drawn from it.
The heart rate that must be attained varies with age.
Why accelerate the heart? What we are looking for
The electricity produced by the heart can be registered through the little sensors placed on the skin. This recording is called an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECG is proper to each individual, just like a fingerprint.
Any interference with the natural electric flow of the heart will modify the recordings.
The lack of oxygen in a given region of the heart also changes the results seen on the ECG.
The coronary heart disease is responsible for blockages in the coronary arteryThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that. These blockages may limit the oxygen entering the heart muscle. Physical activity demands a more important circulation in the muscles. The heart must therefore increase its intensity to respond to the demand.
However, the heart is also a muscle. An increase in its intensity also means that it too needs more oxygen. If there happens to be one or some blockages that limit the amount of oxygen to the muscle, the heart suffers.
This suffering modifies the electricity level produced by the heart. These impairments will appear on the electrocardiogram produced during the treadmill test.
Pieces of advice
- You should walk on the treadmill as if you were walking on the street. You do not walk leaning forward on the street. It is the same on the treadmill.
- Take long strides. Short, fast steps will tire you out quickly.
- Preferably, do not hold on to the bar at the front of the treadmill. You may however place one hand on it to gain confidence.
- It is important to follow the technologist’s recommendations. To obtain the most accurate results, he or she will encourage you to give it all you have.
Your blood pressure is monitored
Throughout the exam, the technologist will observe your bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure.
The examination progresses in stages.
The treadmill works by stages. The inclination and the speed are constant for two to three minutes according to the procedure chosen.
We can see how your heart responds to the effort.
The length of each stage allows your heart to respond to each level. Once the heart has shown its reaction, we move on to the next level until we obtain the desired heartbeat necessary for the exam to be valid according to your age.
I failed the treadmill test
Nobody fails or succeeds a treadmill test. However, we can make conclusions.
You have the final word!
You may ask to end the exam at any moment.
The technologist or the doctor will want to know the reasons for your demand. Sometimes, a little encouragement will give you the energy needed to attain the desired heartbeat. You are not doing all this for nothing.
Other reasons to end prematurely
The doctor or technologist may end the test at any moment. Your difficulties to walk appropriately on the treadmill or abnormal bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure during the exam are two examples of reasons why the test may end quickly.
Normal dizziness at the end of the treadmill test
Do not be surprised to feel dizzy when the treadmill stops. This is caused by you walking, but not moving forward.
It will come back to normal quickly.
Well-deserved resting period
You will be asked to sit and your resting period will be observed for three minutes. During this period, you will catch your breath, and your bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure and heart rate will be observed.
A towel is available if needed.
It’s over!
You may now change back into your regular clothes and leave.
The results are sent to your doctor
The results are communicated to the doctor who asked for the exam.
You may ask for a copy for another doctor
You may ask for a copy of your results to be sent to another doctor. You simply have to give the name and contact information to the personnel. You may ask at any moment.
Certain exams may be inconclusive
It is possible that the treadmill test is inconclusive for a variety of reasons.
- Insufficient effort to accelerate the heartbeat
- Electric anomalies with the ECG device
- Electric, doubtful irregularities without possible conclusions
- …
A complementary exam may be asked for by your doctor.
Your doctor may also ask for more complementary tests if your results seem abnormal.
Not a perfect test
The treadmill test is an easy test to complete and it allows for much information to be recorded.
It is the first exam prescribed by a doctor to verify if there are any blockages in the coronary arteriesThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that.
Subsequent, complementary exams are more complex, longer and more precise. It must be noted, however, that it is quite frequent that complementary tests do not show any irregularities even if the treadmill results were abnormal. We call these “false positives”.
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