Exercise Tolerance Test – £350
- Free Preliminary Assessment
- Available At Multiple Locations
- All Private Insurances Accepted
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- All Tests Done In One Session
FAQs About Exercise Tolerance Test
An exercise tolerance test (ETT), also known as an Exercise ECG or a stress test, is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG) test that assesses the electrical activity of your heart under physiological stress. An ETT can show you how your heart works whilst you are physically exerting yourself.
An exercise tolerance test is an important cardiac diagnostic test. During an ETT, the electrical activity of your heart is recorded while you are exercising, on a treadmill or exercise bike. Exercise makes the heart contract faster and harder. When you exercise, your heart beats faster and your coronary blood flow increases. An ETT can indirectly assess the blood flow within the coronary arteries bringing blood and oxygen to your heart. It can also assess your heart rate and your heart’s electrical activity during exercise and determine whether it is functioning correctly.
Some types of coronary artery disease show no abnormality when you are resting. This means that if you have a standard ECG that assesses your heart rate and the electrical activity of your heart at rest, your results may present as normal, and your condition may go undiagnosed.
You may be referred for an ETT for a number of reasons:
· To assess the effectiveness of your current heart treatments and to determine whether other treatments would be more effective. For example, if you have a stent, an ETT can assess how well the stent is working.
· If you have recently undergone heart surgery or had a heart attack or to determine whether you can safely have surgery.
· If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness that could be consistent with heart disease or blocked arteries.
· If you have fainted or experienced symptoms whilst exercising, as this could be consistent with coronary artery disease.
· To determine safe levels of exercise, depending on how well your heart functions when under stress. r.
The exercise tolerance test assesses:
· Any changes in your heart’s electrical activity.
· Whether you have a blocked artery which is causing a reduction in blood flow and a reduction in the oxygen delivery to your heart muscle.
· Any abnormal patterns in your blood pressure, including hypertension and hypotension.
· An arrhythmia (an abnormality of the heart’s rhythm).
An ETT can help your cardiologist see whether your heart is getting enough blood from your coronary arteries when you engage in physical activity. It can show how well your heart functions when under stress and detect any problems with the blood flow in your heart.
ETTs are usually used to diagnose coronary artery diseases, where your coronary arteries become narrowed. Narrow coronary arteries will result in your heart muscle not getting enough oxygen. If you have an abnormal reading on an ETT, the most likely diagnosis will be coronary artery disease.
When you come in for your ETT, you will need to wear comfortable clothes and trainers. Small electrodes will be placed on your chest and will be connected to an ECG machine. You will then be asked to walk on a treadmill, starting at a slow pace. The incline and/or speed of the treadmill will then increase to make the exercise more difficult and increase your heart rate. You will be encouraged to exercise as hard as you can so we can see how your heart functions under stress. Make sure you tell the cardiologist if you begin to feel any chest pain or become too tired or short of breath and they will stop the test. The cardiologist will monitor you very carefully throughout the test. You may also be fitted with a blood pressure monitor so your blood pressure can be monitored at intervals. Your breathing will also be monitored throughout the test. .
An exercise tolerance test (ETT) usually lasts for between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on how long it takes to increase the intensity of the exercise and how quickly your heart rate reaches a high enough rate.
In the majority of cases, there are no complications associated with an ETT. However, in very rare cases, complications such as ischaemia or a heart attack can occur. Other rare complications include an arrhythmia –an irregularity of the heartbeat – triggered by the exercise, or the test could cause excessively high or low blood pressure. However, these complications are very rare, and you will be closely monitored throughout the ETT to reduce the risk of complications.
What Our Patients Say
Google Reviews
Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Outstanding consultation with Dr. Francesco Lo Monaco. He was incredibly kind, professional, and took a truly holistic approach to the presented situation. The appointment was arranged very quickly, and the entire process through telemedicine was smooth, efficient, and convenient. His explanations were clear, thoughtful, and genuinely reassuring. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a top-level cardiologist who combines expertise with genuine care!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional & 1st class medical consultation with a caring and warm manner. I am overwhelmed at the life saving intervention. Of Dr Monaco.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highest level of professionalism and competence, extremely pleasant experience from a top expert in the field. It is a pleasure and genuine luck to be visited by Dr Lo Monaco. Could not recommend enough. Grazie mille ed a presto!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and attentive to his patients. Very knowledgeable and also very friendly. I highly recommend Dr.Lo MonacoPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a pleasure meeting Dr Lo Monaco and from the initial consultation, tests, and subsequent follow up, Dr Lo Monaco and his team were excellent, dealing with me and my health concerns in a both a professional and friendly manner. I would highly recommend Dr Lo Monaco for any heart health concerns.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly and welcoming consultation both by Dr Lo Monaco, the team which carried out my tests, and his admin staff who dealt with my booking and arrangement. Very thorough set of tests.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service. Very reassuringPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Lo Monaco has a very comprehensive approach to identifying the diagnosis and he makes sure to inquire about a range of health issues that might affect the diagnosis and the treatment. Dr Lo Monaco and his team are also very helpful in arranging all the required tests, that are provided by third parties.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with Dr. Lo Monaco. He is a lovely, kind gentleman who is expert on his area. My experience has been smooth, he has given deep thought on every possibility, eliminated all conditions one by one and ensured everything was alright. Doing that, he explained every step in detail without leaving any question mark behind. I definitely recommend him.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I found Dr. Lo Monaco via a google search for private cardiologists in London. Dr. Lo Monaco during my first consultation was very thorough and to the point which is what I needed after suffering a HA at only 34yrs old and was dealing with a lot of anxiety surrounding the unexpected episode. He gave me the reassurance I needed and advised me on the next steps to take and I did not hesitate. Since seeing Dr. Lo Monaco and taking on the advice given with tests to do, I have had more of a peace of mind and feel reassured with what NHS are doing too alongside. I will continue my added care with Lo Monaco and I highly recommend him to others. Special mention to his PA team too especially Stefan who is very prompt and attentive.