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The exercise ECG shows how the heart works when it is loaded with exercise. This test, also known as a stress test, is performed in both athletes and people with coronary heart disease or arrhythmias. How to prepare for the examination?
exercise ECGis a non-invasive test, also known asexercise test , which is performed to make an accurate diagnosis of a person suspected of having coronary heart disease . It is extremely useful when you need to determine the causes of an abnormal heart rhythm. It allows you to determine the prognosis in patients after a heart attack or after coronary artery procedures, as well as to learn about the type of physical effort that a heart patient can afford in everyday life. Facilitates the development of a post-infarction rehabilitation program. Exercise EKG is also performed by athletes, pilots and people whose work requires a lot of effort or extraordinary physical condition.
How to prepare for an exercise ECG?
Before the examination, you should not eat too much, so as not to artificially increase the pressure in the abdominal cavity. You are also not allowed to smoke cigarettes. You should come to the examination several minutes earlier in order to have time to rest. You need to bring comfortable clothes and sports shoes. The examination should always be performed under the supervision of a physician who has equipment and medications for resuscitation at his disposal. The reason is simple - under the influence of exercise, previously unrecognized heart disease may appear.
What does an exercise ECG look like?
Most of the stress tests in Poland are performed on a treadmill, which is considered safer for respondents than a bicycle. The study consists of three stages. The first is to perform a regular ECG, which will serve as a reference to the results obtained during the exercise test. Then, based on the interview with the patient, it is determined at what maximum frequency his heart can work.
ProblemExercise ECG: contraindications
Exercise EKG is a very valuable and simple test. However, not everyone can do it. Contraindication is a recent heart attack, advanced heart failure, unstable angina (angina), dangerous arrhythmias, recent thrombotic processes, diagnosed heart defects, etc.
The second stage of the test is preceded by a short training session to walk on a treadmill. Once the patient is gonethis masters, the actual exercise test of the heart begins. The nurse sticks 12 electrodes to the chest, similar to those used for a regular ECG - they will record the heartbeat. The remaining ones are attached to the right places on the arms and legs - they will show their blood supply.
The patient is closely monitored during the stress test. In the event of disturbing signals, the test is interrupted.
The patient starts walking on a treadmill or pedals on an exercise bike. Gradually (approximately every 3 minutes), it overcomes more and more loads. For example, on a treadmill, it first goes flat, then starts climbing. The workload is increased until the heart rate reaches a predetermined maximum frequency for you. Blood pressure is continuously measured during the test. If its value increases excessively or if it drops unexpectedly, the doctor stops the test. Likewise, when myocardial ischemia that is dangerous to he alth occurs, the patient complains of pain, shortness of breath or pale. The third step is to register the heartbeat as it calms down. The doctor observes the patient until the heart rate, pressure and ECG waveform return to their baseline values, i.e. those recorded before exercise. Data analysis allows to recognize heart abnormalities, select medications or make decisions about more invasive treatment.