A treadmill test, also known as a treadmill stress test or exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), is a diagnostic test that uses a treadmill or exercise bike to evaluate a person’s cardiovascular fitness and detect any abnormalities in the heart’s electrical activity. The test is typically performed under the supervision of a healthcare provider, such as a cardiologist or a primary care physician.

During the test, the patient will walk or run on a treadmill while hooked up to an ECG machine. The treadmill speed and incline will be gradually increased to increase the patient’s heart rate. The ECG machine will continuously record the patient’s heart rate and rhythm, and the healthcare provider will be able to monitor the patient’s blood pressure and breathing.

The test is usually done to evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or to assess the overall cardiovascular health of the patient. It’s also used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for known cardiac conditions such as heart disease or hypertension.

The test is considered relatively safe, but it is not recommended for patients who have certain conditions or risk factors that make exercise unsafe, such as unstable angina, a recent heart attack, uncontrolled hypertension, or severe lung disease.