How is the exercise EKG test performed?
The procedure is performed in a physician’s office, clinic, hospital, or medical center. The equipment used includes an EKG machine, electrodes (small, plastic patches that stick on the skin), and lead wires which attach to the skin electrodes. A blood pressure cuff attached to an electronic monitoring machine is used. A treadmill or stationary bicycle is used for exercise. Your child will have initial, or “baseline,” EKG and blood pressure readings done while sitting, prior to exercising. He/she will walk on the treadmill or pedal the bicycle during the exercise portion of the procedure. The incline of the treadmill will be gradually increased, or the resistance of the bicycle will be gradually increased, in order to give your child a harder workout. EKG and blood pressure will be monitored during the exercise portion of the test. Your child will then sit after exercising while EKG and blood pressure are monitored for a short time, perhaps another 10 to 15 minutes or so. The procedure
