Exercise Electrocardiogram
Guide
How It Is Done continued...
When the exercise phase is completed:
- You will be able to sit or lie down and rest.
- Your EKG and blood pressure will be checked for about 5 to 10 minutes during this time.
- The electrodes are then removed from your chest, and you may resume your normal activities.
- Do not take a hot bath or shower for at least an hour, since hot water after vigorous exercise can make you feel dizzy and faint.
The entire test usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
How It Feels
The electrodes may feel cool when they are put on your chest. If you have a lot of hair on your chest, a small area under each electrode may need to be shaved. When the electrodes are taken off, they may pull your skin a little.
The room where the exercise electrocardiogram is done may be kept cool for comfort, since you will warm up rapidly when you begin to exercise.
The blood pressure cuff on your arm will be inflated every few minutes. This will squeeze your arm and feel tight. Tell your health professional if this is painful.
While exercising, you may have leg cramps or soreness; feel tired, short of breath, or lightheaded; have a dry mouth; and sweat. You might even have some mild chest pain or pressure. Tell the health professional or doctor if you have these symptoms.
Risks
An exercise electrocardiogram is generally safe. Emergency equipment will be available in the testing area. Risks include:
- Irregular heartbeats during the test.
- Severe angina symptoms.
- Fainting.
- Falling.
- Heart attack.
The electrodes are used to transfer an image of the electrical activity of your heart to tracing on paper. No electricity passes through your body from the machine, and there is no danger of getting an electrical shock.
Results
An exercise electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for changes in your heart while you exercise. Your doctor may be able to talk to you about your results right after the test. But complete test results may take several days.
Your doctor will look at the pattern of spikes and dips on your electrocardiogram to check the electrical activity in different parts of your heart. The spikes and dips are grouped into different sections that show how your heart is working.
| Normal: | You reach your target heart rate (based on your age) and can exercise without chest pain or other symptoms of heart disease. |
|---|---|
Your blood pressure increases steadily during exercise. | |
Your EKG tracings do not show any significant changes. Your heartbeats look normal. | |
| Abnormal: | You have angina symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, during or right after the test. |
You have other symptoms of heart disease, such as dizziness, fainting, or extreme shortness of breath. | |
Your blood pressure drops or does not rise during exercise. | |
The EKG tracing does not look normal. | |
Your heartbeats are too fast, too slow, or very irregular. |