An exercise tolerance test (ETT) - also known as an exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) - helps to diagnose ischaemic heart disease, which is the common cause of angina and other heart problems. It can also help to assess the severity of ischaemic heart disease. Note: the information below is a general guide only. The arrangements, and the way tests are performed, may vary between different hospitals. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor or local hospital.
What is an electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart. The heart produces tiny electrical impulses which spread through the heart muscle to make the heart contract. These impulses can be detected by the ECG machine. The machine amplifies the electrical impulses that occur at each heartbeat, and records them on to a paper or computer.
An ECG recording is painless and harmless. (The ECG machine records electrical impulses coming from your body - it does not put any electricity into your body.)
Examples of ECG patterns in different heart conditions are found at www.ecglibrary.com
What is an exercise tolerance test?
An exercise tolerance test (ETT) records the electrical activity of your heart whilst you exercise.
How is an exercise tolerance test done?
Small electrodes are stuck on to your chest. Wires from the electrodes are connected to the ECG machine. You will then be asked to exercise on a treadmill or on an exercise bike. The exercise starts at a very easy pace, and is gradually made more strenuous by increasing the speed and incline of the treadmill, or by putting some resistance on the bike wheel.
Whilst you exercise, ECG tracings are made and you will also have your blood pressure measured from time to time. The test lasts about 15-20 minutes.
Why is an exercise tolerance test done?
The ETT helps to diagnose and assess the severity of ischaemic heart disease (sometimes called coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease). This disease is due to narrowing of the coronary arteries. It can cause angina (chest pains) and other problems. So, if you develop chest pains you may be advised to have an ETT to help to clarify the cause.
Many people with ischaemic heart disease have a normal ECG at rest. During exercise the heart beats faster and needs more oxygen. If one or more of your coronary arteries are narrowed, part or parts of the heart muscle do not get enough oxygen. This can cause the ECG tracing to become abnormal when you exercise. Therefore, if you have a positive ETT (an abnormal reading) you are likely to have ischaemic heart disease.
If you already have ischaemic heart disease, the degree of abnormality on the ECG tracing from the ETT can give a good idea of the severity of the disease. Therefore, ETT is often done to help to decide if you need further investigations or treatment.
Will I cope with the exercise required?
Most people manage to do the ETT. It can be hard work, but the level of exercise chosen aims to match your normal capabilities. At any stage you can tell the person doing the test if you feel it is too difficult, and the test will stop. The test will also be stopped if you develop unpleasant pains or if you become very tired, or very short of breath.
What should I do to prepare for the test?
You should not have a heavy meal within one hour of the test. Otherwise, there is no special preparation needed. For the test, wear loose-fitting clothes and shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Continue to take your usual medication unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Limitations of the exercise tolerance test
An ETT is a valuable investigation but it is not 100% accurate. Sometimes tracings show changes during exercise, even though the person has a completely normal heart. Also, some people with ischaemic heart disease have a normal ETT with no changes on the tracing. Doctors are aware of this and use the results of the test in conjunction with other information such as your symptoms, results of other tests, etc.
Are there any risks when doing an exercise tolerance test?
An ETT is done without any problems in the vast majority of cases. If you do not have ischaemic heart disease then complications are rare. However, serious complications occur in a small number of people who have ischaemic heart disease. The risk is to develop a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or an arrhythmia (serious heart irregularity) during the test. Medical help is near to hand to deal with possible problems. However, there are reports of, very rarely, some people who have died during an ETT.
You have to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding on having this test. The test can give very valuable information about your condition, but with a small risk of serious problems developing.
Further reading & references
- Hill J, Timmis A; Exercise tolerance testing. BMJ. 2002 May 4;324(7345):1084-7.
- Siegler JC, Rehman S, Bhumireddy GP, et al; The accuracy of the electrocardiogram during exercise stress test based on heart PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e23044. Epub 2011 Aug 17.
- Miller TD; Stress testing: the case for the standard treadmill test. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2011 Sep;26(5):363-9.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.
|Original Author: Dr Tim Kenny||Current Version: Dr Gurvinder Rull||Peer Reviewer: Prof Cathy Jackson|
|Last Checked: 15/03/2012||Document ID: 4694 Version: 39||© EMIS|
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