Stress Test
The exercise stress test — also called a stress test, exercise electrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test, or stress ECG — is used to provide information about how the heart responds to exertion. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while your electrocardiogram, heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored. We complete this test and interpret the results along with each individuals doctor for two reasons; first, so that any other medical conditions and heart irregularities can be identified if present, and secondly it can help to find the appropriate intensities that each individual should be exercising at and what heart rate should be maintained during each zone. This test is also done as a precaution because underlying cardiac symptoms and co-morbidities can be common among those with Diabetes.
Treadmill stress test: As long as you can walk and have a normal ECG, this is normally the first stress test performed. You walk on a treadmill while being monitored to see how far you walk and if you develop chest pain or changes in your ECG that suggest that your heart is not getting enough blood the test will be terminated and training intensities will be adjusted.