How is a Regular Treadmill Stress Test Performed?
The patient is brought to the exercise lab where the heart rate and blood pressure are recorded at rest. Sticky electrodes are attached to the chest, shoulders and hips and connected to the EKG portion of the Stress test machine. A 12-lead EKG records on paper. Each lead of the EKG represents a different portion of the heart, with adjacent leads representing a single wall. For example: • Leads 2, 3, and aVF = bottom or inferior portion of the heart • Leads V1 and V2 = septum or partition of the heart • Leads V3, V4, V5 and V6 = anterior or front portion of the heart • Leads 1 and aVL = superior or top and outer left portion of the heart • Lead aVR looks at the cavity of the heart and has almost no clinical value in identifying coronary disease Three of the EKG leads are also constantly displayed on the treadmill monitor. Each lead represents a different wall. The physician has the option of selecting different combinations of three. The treadmill is then started at a relatively slow “w
