Exercise

Tolerance
Test
BY NOOR ALI SALMAN
Exercise tolerance test

▪ An exercise tolerance test (also called a stress test) shows how

well your heart handles physical activity.
▪ While exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike, a healthcare
provider will measure your heart rate, blood pressure, and
respiratory rate while monitoring an electrocardiogram (ECG)
device
Purpose of an Exercise Tolerance Test

▪ An exercise tolerance test can

demonstrate your heart's ability
to endure physical exercise. This
in-office exam is often used to
help detect heart conditions and
determine appropriate
treatments or exercise plans for
existing heart patients
What is recorded in an exercise tolerance test ?

▪ heart's electrical activity

▪ heart rate
▪ blood pressure
▪ breathing pattern and respiratory rate
▪ oxygen saturation
▪ Level of exertion
 What are the possible results of (ETT)

Positive (or Inconclusive or

Negative or normal Goal achieved
abnormal): uninterpretable
• This means the This means the test This indicates the : If you took the test
test found didn't find any test was unable to to help establish a
potential evidence of a heart determine if a heart safe exercise plan
evidence of a condition. condition is present. following a heart
heart condition.
In this case, the diagnosis or
equipment may surgery, your
have healthcare provider
malfunctioned, or might have set
you were unable to some fitness goals
complete the test. that you were able
to meet.
 Types of exercise tolerance test

▪ Exercise Stress Echocardiogram

uses an ultrasound imaging to look at structural images of the heart at rest and
with exercise, including heart size, valve function, and heart wall motions .
▪ Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
The dobutamine is used when a patient is not able to exercise adequately.
Dobutamine mimics exercise in that it increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
This test enables physicians to see what happens to the pumping action of the
heart and valves at rest and during exertion.
 Cont.

▪ Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test

uses an exercise stress test and radiotracers to assess the blood supply to the heart
muscle.
▪ Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test
evaluates a patient's cardiopulmonary system by determining the amount of oxygen used
by the body during exercise.
▪ Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Stress Test
helps evaluate whether a patient is at risk of developing a life-threatening heart rhythm
disorder and would benefit from having an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
 WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE ETT ?

▪ A healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms like
chest pain or shortness of breath that could indicate a heart condition, if you
have an irregular heartbeat, to determine a safe exercise plan for patients
recovering from heart surgery, or to see if treatments you’re receiving for
heart disease are working well
 RISKS OF AN EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST

Unstable angina
Uncontrolled arrhythmia
Pulmonary hypertension
Severe aortic stenosis
Congestive heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
Aortic dissection
Another acute illness
▪ how do i prepare for the exercise
tolerance test ?
Before the test, you should;
▪ avoid eating or drinking anything except
Q&A
water for at least 4 hours.
▪ avoid smoking and strenuous exercise
for at least 2 hours before the test.
▪ wear comfortable clothing and shoes that
are suitable for exercise.
What are the Types of exercise tolerance
test ?

1. Exercise Stress Echocardiogram Q&A

2. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
3. Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test
4. Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test
5. Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Stress Test
What are the Limitations of an Exercise
Tolerance Test ?

1. they can't predict things like how much

of the artery has thickened or if and
when a person may have a heart attack.
2. test results aren't always 100%
accurate and can vary based on
equipment used, experience of the
healthcare professional conducting the
Q&A
test.
▪ What are the components of the exercise
tolerance test ?

1. a treadmill or exercise bike

2. ECG machine connected to electrodes
(wires) Q&A
3. a blood pressure cuff,
4. a pulse oximeter
5. A mouthpiece
▪ Stress tests give your healthcare provider
important information about the
likelihood of a heart problem and to
recommend next steps for you.
▪ Exercise tolerance tests may be used to Conclusion
diagnose certain heart conditions, monitor
heart attack recovery, or form an
appropriate fitness plan for heart disease
or surgery patients. Your healthcare
provider may recommend this test if you
report symptoms of potential heart
disease, such as chest pain or shortness
of breath. This test generally isn't
recommended for people at low risk of
developing heart disease.
Thank you