Exercise Stress Test

An exercise stress test helps your doctor determine how your heart performs under stress (during exercise). Your heart’s electrical activity and your blood pressure are measured while you exercise on a treadmill. To learn more about an exercise stress test, read this article.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Please stop all Beta blocker and calcium channel blocker medications 48 hours before your appointment date. Please confirm with your referring physician prior to ceasing. If you haven’t already done so, please let us know if you are on any of the medications on this list prior to starting the study.
• Please avoid any caffeine products (coffee, tea, pop, hot chocolate) for 24 hours prior your exam. This includes medications that contain caffeine or caffeine derivatives (Tylenol 3, Anacin, Excedrin, No-Doz, Darvon, Caffregot, or Fiorinal).

DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Four hours prior to your appointment, do not take anything by mouth – no smoking/vaping or use of Nitro spray, and don’t eat/drink/chew gum or tobacco.
• You may take small sips of water with prescribed medications.
• SPECIAL NOTE: If you take medication to manage your blood sugar, please do not take it on the morning of your test unless you have been given a late appointment time and are able to eat four hours before the test. If you cannot fast for four hours, eat a small meal and take your diabetes medication as prescribed, as long as there is at least two hours between eating and the time of your appointment. Remember to bring your insulin, oral medication, glucometer, and a snack.
• Continue taking all medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• Please bring all medications, or a list of medications you are currently taking. If you are asthmatic, please ensure you bring your “puffer” medication with you.
• Wear exercise clothing, such as a short-sleeved, loose shirt, shorts or sweatpants, and clean and dry running shoes. No one-piece dresses or one-piece undergarments please.
• Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or other scented products.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception and fill out paperwork.
• Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

• A technologist will place electrodes (adhesive patches) on your chest. They will be attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (EKG) that charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test.
• A physician specializing in internal medicine will consult with you prior to the test. If you have any medical questions concerning your test, this is an ideal time to discuss them.
• Before you start the exercise portion of the study, the technologist will perform a resting EKG reading, measuring your resting heart rate and taking your blood pressure.
• As you start to walk, the treadmill will start out very slow, then speed and incline will gradually increase. The majority of the program is a walking pace. Some may end up jogging.
• The technologist will ask you how you are feeling throughout the test.
• Please tell your technologist if you feel short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, or experience chest, arm or jaw pain, or discomfort, or if you have any other unusual symptoms.
• We will stop the test if you become too tired, experience chest pain, or when the technologist has enough information.
• After the exercise portion is over, you will need to sit and relax. We will continue to monitor you as your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
• The physician will briefly discuss your results with you and, if there are no concerns, you are free to leave.
• If further testing is required, we will discuss this with you and may book additional testing or provide a referral.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

The physician will interpret the complete EKG analysis and we will do our best to forward the results, as well as a consultation report, to your doctor by the next business day.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.