TREADMILL TEST: It is a heart-related test to identify the adequacy of the blood supply to your heart.

Other names for a treadmill test

TMT test
stress EKG test
Stress ECG test
Stress treadmill test

Table of Contents

Why undergo a Treadmill Test (TMT test)?

It is done to identify blockages in the vessels supplying your heart. It means it is done to identify coronary artery disease.

Who should undergo the Treadmill test?

Patients have the following symptoms

suggestive of coronary artery diseases like chest pain, breathlessness, and swelling of the feet

Which precautions should patients take before undergoing the Treadmill test?

Take an appointment for the test.
Skip taking food at least 2 hours before. You can take water
Inform the doctor of your BP medicines, if any. Some BP medicines need to be stopped for 3 to 5 days before the test. They may reshuffle your appointment for the test accordingly
Avoid caffeine and tea before the test
Make sure your blood pressure and sugar are under control
Practice brisk walking a few days prior if you are undergoing the test on an elective basis
If you are taking an inhaler for asthma, bring it along with you.

Is fasting needed for the Treadmill test?

Before doing the test, it’s preferable not to eat for two hours as it is easy to run with an empty stomach. Patients can have water if they feel like having it.

How much time is needed for the Treadmill test stress test?

The test lasts for 10 to 15 minutes. Preparation takes another 15 minutes. You will get the report once the cardiologist reports the findings. The total time is approximately half an hour.

How do they perform the stress Treadmill Test?

Shaving should be done to the chest area before the test. After checking blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate, leads are applied to the body by the technician and you are made to run on the treadmill machine. The machine will gradually increase the speed and slope every three minutes. The test can be immediately stopped if you feel so or have chest pain, breathlessness, or fatigue. A heart doctor can also order the stopping of the test if you complete the test or have an abnormal ECG during the test. Most adults achieve the target heart rate in 9 minutes.

What does the positive and negative Treadmill test mean?

A tmt test positive means the patient’s ECG is abnormal (lack of adequate blood supply to the heart) after workload. It means the patient has coronary artery disease.

A negative result means a regular report, which implies adequate blood supply to the heart and there are no signs of coronary artery disease.

What are the risks of a Treadmill test?

This is relatively a safe test. There can be a heart attack or death. The chances of these complications are less than 1 %.

Who should not perform the Treadmill test?

Those having

Heart attack in last 48 hours
Uncontrolled BP (more than 200/110 mm Hg)
Ongoing chest pain
Severe aortic stenosis (AS), mitral stenosis (MS)
Acutely ill patient due to any cause
Fluid around the heart
Infection to the heart

What is the cost of the Treadmill test in India?

Price varies from one center to another center. In India, the average cost of the TMT test in India is between 1000 – 2500 Indian rupees. This test does not require hospitalization. It is costlier in hospitals than in clinics.

2d echo test vs. TMT test

2d echo test is an ultrasound-like test for the heart to scan the heart from different angles, and It can study the anatomy of the heart and its function of the heart. It can not check the adequacy of blood flow to the heart muscle.

TMT test studies the heart’s electrical activity of the heart during exercise. It is used to study the adequacy of blood flow to the heart muscle. It is not helpful to study the anatomy and function of the heart.

ECG test vs. Stress treadmill test?

EKG or ECG test records the electrical activity of the heart during exercise. It is a painless, risk-free, and quick test for the heart. There is no contraindication for an ECG test.

TMT test is to record ECG while you are running on a treadmill. It is done to know about CAD. It carries some risk and there are few contraindications.