Exercise Tolerance Tests Information 

An exercise tolerance test (also known as an exercise treadmill test or stress test) helps assess how well your heart works when it is under physical stress. As your body works harder during exercise, it requires more oxygen, so the heart needs to pump more blood. The test can help identify whether the blood supply to the heart muscle may be reduced. 

Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for walking on a treadmill. You may eat and drink as normal before your appointment unless you have been advised otherwise. 

When you arrive at the Imaging Department, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. A Cardiac Physiologist will take you to the examination room and explain the test. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have at this time. 

Small stickers (electrodes) will be placed on your chest to perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). These will be connected to monitoring equipment so that your heart rate and rhythm can be observed throughout the test. Your blood pressure will also be measured before, during and after the exercise. 

You will then be asked to walk on a treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill will gradually increase to make your heart work harder. The test will continue for as long as you are able to exercise comfortably, or until enough information has been obtained. The test can be stopped at any time if you feel unwell or need to stop. 

Once the exercise part of the test has finished, you will continue to be monitored for a few minutes while your heart rate and blood pressure return towards normal. The monitoring equipment will then be removed, and you will be able to get dressed and leave the department. 

The exercise treadmill test itself usually takes about 30 minutes, but please allow up to 45 minutes for your visit to the department. 

After the test, the results will be reviewed and a report will be prepared. This will be sent to your referring Consultant or GP and is usually available for your next appointment, routinely within 48 hours.