Metabolic Exercise Stress Test (also called metabolic stress test)
Definition:
A test used to measure the performance of the heart and lungs while they are under physical stress. The test involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while being closely monitored.
Your doctor uses the metabolic stress test to:
- determine how fit your heart and lungs are
- determine if symptoms of shortness of breath or chronic fatigue are due to a medical problem (such as heart or lung disease) or due to poor fitness
- measure your heart’s ability to do work (functional capacity)
- determine if certain surgical treatments are appropriate for you
- evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan
- help you develop a safe and effective exercise program
To prepare:
- Do not eat or drink anything except water for four hours before the test.
- Do not drink or eat caffeine products (cola, Mountain Dew, chocolate products, coffee or tea) for 12 hours before the test. Caffeine may interfere with the results of your test.
- Do not smoke on the day of the test.
- Ask your doctor what medications should be taken on the day of your test. If you use an inhaler for breathing, bring it to the test. If you are diabetic, ask your physician how to adjust your medications the day of your test.
- Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes suitable for walking. Women should wear a bra.
- Do not bring valuables.
What to expect:
- Ten small areas of your chest are cleaned, and small sticky electrode patches are attached to these areas. Men may expect to have their chest partially shaved to help the electrodes stick. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph (ECG) monitor, which charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test.
- Before you start exercising, the technician will perform a resting ECG, measure your heart rate and take your blood pressure.
- You will be asked to breathe through a mouthpiece for a few minutes before the test begins and throughout your test. A nose-clip will be placed on your nose so you breathe only through your mouth.
- You will begin to exercise by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary cycle. The degree of difficulty will gradually increase. You will be asked to exercise very hard until you are exhausted. Your blood pressure, heart rate, EKG, and other breathing measurements will be taken throughout the test.
- At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. Since you will be unable to talk with the mouthpiece in place, they will ask you questions that can be answered by nodding "yes" or "no." Please tell them if you feel chest, arm, or jaw pain or discomfort; shortness of breath; dizziness; lightheadedness; or any other unusual symptoms.
- It is normal for your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and perspiration to increase during the test. You may also have a dry mouth from breathing through the mouthpiece. The lab personnel will watch for any symptoms or changes on the ECG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.
- After the test you will walk or pedal slowly for a couple of minutes to cool down. Your heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will continue to be monitored until the levels are returning to normal.
The appointment will last about 1 hour and 15 minutes; the actual exercise time is usually between 5 and 12 minutes.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about the exercise stress test.
Click here to:
