A Treadmill Test (TMT), also called a Cardiac Stress Test, records the heart’s electrical activity during exercise.

• Performed while walking or running on a treadmill (or cycling).
• Electrodes attached to the chest record ECG changes.
• Helps doctors evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle during stress.

👉 Simply put: A TMT test simulates exercise stress to check if your heart gets enough oxygen and blood flow.

Doctors may recommend a TMT if you experience:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Palpitations or dizziness
• High risk of coronary artery disease (CAD)
• A need to evaluate the effectiveness of heart treatment

A TMT test helps in:

• Detecting blockages in heart arteries.
• Assessing exercise tolerance.
• Checking for exercise-induced arrhythmias.
• Guiding further tests like angiography if needed.

📊 According to the American Heart Association, stress testing helps detect significant coronary artery disease in about 70–80% of patients.

1. Exercise Stress Test

Most common type.

Performed while walking/running on a treadmill.

2. Pharmacological Stress Test

For patients who cannot exercise.

Special medications simulate exercise stress.

3. Stress Echocardiography

Combines ultrasound imaging with exercise stress.

Provides both electrical and structural insights.

Step-by-step process:

1. Preparation – Electrodes are placed on your chest to record ECG.
2. Baseline ECG & Vitals – Initial heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are recorded.
3. Exercise Phase – You walk on a treadmill with gradually increasing speed and incline.
4. Monitoring – ECG, blood pressure, and symptoms are monitored continuously.
5. Recovery Phase – After stopping, your heart activity is observed until it returns to normal.

⏱️ Duration: Typically 30–45 minutes.

💡 Note: The test may be stopped early if you develop chest pain, dizziness, or abnormal ECG changes.