Cardiac testing
Exercise stress test How the heart performs under exertion
Appointment
30 minutes
Wear
Walking or running shoes
Results
Discussed the same day
What an exercise stress test is
This test monitors how your heart performs during exercise. It helps assess symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and possible heart disease.
You walk on a treadmill while your heart rhythm, blood pressure and symptoms are watched. The treadmill speeds up and inclines in stages, so the demand on the heart rises gradually rather than all at once.
The point is the exertion. Some things only appear when the heart is asked to work.
The rhythm is recorded throughout, so a stress test includes a continuous ECG taken while you are working rather than at rest.
Why your doctor ordered one
A heart can look entirely normal at rest and behave differently under load. A stress test is how that difference is seen.
- Chest discomfort that comes on with exertion and settles with rest, which is the pattern of angina.
- Breathlessness or unusual fatigue when you exert yourself.
- Assessing exercise tolerance rather than chasing a single symptom.
How to prepare
This is the one test here that asks something of you beforehand.
- Wear comfortable clothing and proper walking or running shoes.
- Have only a light meal beforehand.
- Avoid caffeine for several hours, as it can affect the results.
- Bring a list of your medications.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
If you have diabetes, ask us how to manage your food and medication on the day of the test.
What happens on the day
The test is performed by a registered cardiology technologist and takes 30 minutes.
Please allow up to 1 hour for your visit. Electrodes are placed on your chest before you start, and your rhythm and blood pressure are recorded at rest, through each stage of the treadmill, and while you recover afterwards.
The cardiologist follows the test closely as it happens, rather than reading it later.
You are told the same day
The results are discussed with you at the appointment itself.
Because the cardiologist follows the test as it runs, the clinical consultation happens at that time rather than at a second visit weeks later. You leave knowing what the test showed.
- Followed by the cardiologist while the test is running.
- Discussed with you at the same appointment.
- Reported to the doctor who referred you within 1 to 7 days.
Getting a referral
Ask your family doctor for a referral
You need a referral from a family physician or nurse practitioner.
Horizons Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics sees adult patients aged 18 and over.
Referring providers: referral forms and our current wait times are available on our referrals page.