FREMANTLE HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICE |
Department of Cardiology - Testing Unit |
Exercise ECGs |
| Days
test performed: Monday – Friday afternoons from 1.30pm onwards This test takes approximately
45 minutes to complete, but you should allow an hour to cover any eventualities. An exercise ECG is simply a
walking ECG instead of a resting ECG. Recording an ECG whilst you are walking or
jogging on a treadmill is a good way to access your heart’s function under load. We like our patients to wear
comfortable shoes. Joggers or sandshoes are a good idea. You will also need to
wear light, loose fitting clothing with an elastic waist band, as two of the electrodes
will be placed on your hips. A total of ten electrodes
will be placed on your upper body, so that the heart can be monitored while you
exercise. The test usually consists of a series of 3 minute stages, with the
treadmill starting at a gentle slope and speed. With each successive stage, the
treadmill will get slightly faster and steeper. A Doctor is present during
the test to monitor your blood pressure and answer any of your questions. Once you have reached your
target heart rate or are fatigued from exercising, you will be asked to lie down on a
stretcher for further ECG monitoring. Resting ECGs will be taken every 3 minutes
while your heart recovers form the exercise. The test is complete once your heart
rate has returned to normal. |
Return to Cardiology Home Transoesephageal
Echocardiography. Electrocardiography.
Echocardiography. Holter
Monitoring. King of Hearts Monitoring.
Thallium Exercise ECG. |