Exercise Tolerance Testing

The ETT can be used to investigate coronary heart disease (sometimes called coronary artery disease). This disease is due to narrowing of the coronary arteries. It can cause chest pains (angina) and other problems. So, if you develop chest pains you may be advised to have an ETT to help clarify the cause. However, different investigations (eg, coronary angiography or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy) are now preferred to diagnose whether you have coronary heart disease.

Many people with coronary heart disease have a normal ECG at rest. During exercise the heart beats faster and needs more oxygen. If one or more of your coronary arteries are narrowed, part or parts of the heart muscle do not get enough oxygen. This can cause the ECG tracing to become abnormal when you exercise. Therefore, if you have a positive ETT (an abnormal reading) you are likely to have coronary heart disease.

If you already have coronary heart disease, the degree of abnormality on the ECG tracing from the ETT can give a good idea of the severity of the disease.

How is an exercise tolerance test done?

Small electrodes are stuck on to your chest. Wires from the electrodes are connected to the electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. You will then be asked to exercise on a treadmill or on an exercise bike. The exercise starts at a very easy pace, and is gradually made more strenuous by increasing the speed and incline of the treadmill, or by putting some resistance on the bike wheel.

Whilst you exercise, ECG tracings are made and you will also have your blood pressure measured from time to time. The test lasts about 15-20 minutes.

What should I do to prepare for the test?

You should not have a heavy meal within one hour of the test. Otherwise, there is no special preparation needed. For the test, wear loose-fitting clothes and shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Continue to take your usual medication unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

Limitations

An ETT is a valuable investigation but it is not 100% accurate. Sometimes tracings show changes during exercise, even though the person has a completely normal heart. Also, some people with coronary heart disease have a normal ETT with no changes on the tracing. Doctors are aware of this and use the results of the test in conjunction with other information such as your symptoms, results of other tests, etc.

Nowadays it is common for scans of the heart to be done rather than an ETT. The scans that can be done for the heart include:

• A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the heart.

• A computerised tomography (CT) coronary scan - also called CT coronary angiography.

• A myocardial perfusion scan.

Risks

An ETT is done without any problems in the vast majority of cases. If you do not have coronary heart disease then complications are rare. However, serious complications occur in a small number of people who have coronary heart disease. The risk is to develop a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or a serious heart irregularity (an arrhythmia) during the test. Medical help is near to hand to deal with possible problems. However, there are reports of, very rarely, some people who have died during an ETT.

You have to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding on having this test. The test can give very valuable information about your condition, but with a small risk of serious problems developing.