ALERT CONTENT PLACEHOLDER

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Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours


 What We Do

An exercise stress test may be used to find out if coronary artery disease is likely, whether exercise could trigger abnormal heart rhythms and to help you develop a safe exercise program.

For the test, you have to walk/run on a treadmill while your ECG and blood pressure are monitored. You'll start the exercise slowly and gradually increase until you feel you can't continue. It's important to tell the lab personnel how you are feeling.​

 Materials and Resources to Help You

The Patient & Family Education Program at UHN offers valuable resources to help you understand your condition.

Resources from the Patient & Family Education Program

Visit our Health Information section to find dedicated resources to help you understand your condition. Find the information you're looking for.​

 Your Procedure


How to Prepare

Please bring with you a list of your current medications. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamin or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.

You must have NOTHING to eat 4 hours before the test but juice or water can still be taken.

Bring with you to your appointment your:

  • Health card (OHIP card). If you do not have an OHIP card, please bring another form of government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport, or other provincial health card). Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

Checking In

When you arrive at the Electrophysiology Department or Nuclear Cardiology Lab, check in at the reception desk. The receptionist will ask you for:

  • Health Card (OHIP Card)
  • Your name, address and birth date

Before the Exercise Stress Test

When you check-in, the receptionist will give you a name band to wear. The technologist will call you when it is time for your test. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown.

When you have finished changing, a technologist will take you into the room. They will explain the procedure and ask for your consent.

During and After the Exercise Stress Test

You will walk on a treadmill while being monitored with ECGs and blood pressure. The treadmill speed and incline will increase every 3 min until you are tired or a target heart rate has been reached. A cardiovascular technologist will be with you for the whole test and can stop the treadmill whenever you ask.

The Results of Your Exercise Stress Test

Once the test is completed, the technologist uploads your results to your records. The physician/radiologist will write a report and send it to your doctor.

The technologist can't give you the results during your visit, but once the report is in your health record, your doctor can review it and will give you the results.

The Results of Your Exercise Stress Test

An exercise stress test usually takes approximately 1 hour.

We do everything that we can to stay on time. Unfortunately, your appointment may be delayed by unforeseen circumstances. We recommend that you come prepared for delays.​

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