Sometimes heart problems can best be seen when the heart is working harder than normal, such as when you exercise vigorously. For that reason, your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram when you run on a treadmill. This test is sometimes called a “stress test” or a “treadmill test.”
As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so the heart must pump more blood. The test can show how well blood is flowing through and around the heart.
During the test, you will be connected to equipment to monitor your heart. Then you will begin walking slowly on a treadmill. The speed will be gradually increase and the treadmill will be tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill.
Your Mercy physician may recommend an exercise stress test to:
Diagnose a possible heart-related cause of symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or lightheadedness
Determine a safe level of exercise
Predict the risk of dangerous heart-related conditions such as a heart attack
Working with the most advanced technology and equipment, our heart specialists we’ll do everything possible to keep your heart healthy, so you can keep doing all the things you love.
Related to this Test
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive services to diagnose and treat a full range of conditions, including:
