Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT) London
An Exercise Tolerance Test, also known as an Exercise ECG or Stress Test, is a key diagnostic procedure to evaluate individuals with known or suspected heart conditions. It checks your heart’s functioning during a physical activity – walking on a treadmill or cycling on an exercise bike.
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What is an Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT)?
An exercise tolerance test (ETT) is a type of ECG test that is used to assess the electrical activity of your heart during physical activity. Often called an exercise ECG or a stress test, an ETT test measures your heart rate, rhythm and the electrical activity, while you are exerting yourself.
How is an Exercise ECG Performed?
During an Exercise Tolerance Test, small adhesive electrodes are attached to the patient’s chest and connected to an ECG monitor. The patient is asked to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle while his heart activity is monitored. The test begins with a low-intensity exercise and gradually increases in difficulty. Throughout the test, vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, are recorded at frequent intervals.
Interpreting the Exercise Tolerance Test
Your test results are carefully reviewed to evaluate how your heart responds to exercise. Key aspects that are considered include:
Heart Rate Response
Monitoring how the heart rate increases during exercise helps determine how well your heart meets increased physical demands.
Changes in ECG
The ECG results are analysed for irregular heart rhythms or specific changes, such as ST-segment abnormalities, which may suggest reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
Blood Pressure Changes
Changes in blood pressure during Exerise ECG determine how well your circulatory system adapts to physical activity.
Reported Symptoms
Any symptoms you experience during the test, including chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness, or fatigue, are monitored alongside the clinical data.
Why is Exercise Tolerance Testing Important?
A cardiac Exercise Tolerance Test plays a key role in assessing overall heart health. It is commonly used in cardiology for the following reasons:
Analysis of Physical Fitness
By measuring how well your heart responds to exercise, the test provides valuable insight into your ability to tolerate physical activity.
Detect Heart Valve Disease
A cardiac stress ECG helps evaluate the functioning of heart valves during physical activity and identify any restricted blood flow and valve leakage that may not be evident when the heart is at rest.
Identify Coronary Artery Disease
This cardio fitness test helps identify narrowed or blocked coronary arteries that can restrict blood flow to the heart. Long-term Coronary Artery Disease can potentially cause chest pain (Angina), stroke, or heart attack.
Understand the Effect of Ongoing Treatment
ETT test Results are also used to check the effectiveness of current medication by monitoring how well your heart functions in physical exertion.
Risk Assessment
The Stress EKG helps clinicians identify the risk of future cardiac issues, particularly in individuals with existing heart disease.
Book a Private Exercise Tolerance Test in London
Book your Stress ECG in London with The National Heart Clinic for quick, reliable, and professional cardiac screening. Our Harley Street Clinic offers same-day bookings, advanced ECG, and personalised results reviewed by our specialist ETT consultants.
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