Exercise Treadmill Testing

Exercise treadmill testing (ETT) is a technique for evaluating the function of the heart while it is being stressed with an exercise protocol. Here at the LifeScore Clinic, we use it for both fitness testing and to look for signs of underlying heart disease.

We use the Bruce Protocol with two minute stages for most situations. Each new stage goes at a higher speed and a steeper incline. We monitor the electrical activity of the heart during exercise. Sometimes, we add echocardiography before and after exercise to look for wall motion abnormalities.

 

Once the test is done, we analyze the results and prepare a report which covers: Exercise duration (a measure of fitness) Heart rate during and after exercise Blood pressure during exercise ECG changes during exercise Symptoms during exercise Echo images before and after exercise (if necessary)