Exercise Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiography, Exercise, Exercise EKG, Stress Test, Treadmill Test

Results

An exercise electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for changes in your heart while you exercise. Your doctor may be able to talk to you about your results right after the test. However, complete test results may take several days.

Normal EKG

• The P wave is a record of the electrical activity through the upper heart chambers (atria).
• The QRS complex is a record of the movement of electrical impulses through the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
• The ST segment corresponds to the time when the ventricle is contracting but no electricity is flowing through it. The ST segment usually appears as a straight, level line between the QRS complex and the T wave.
• The T wave corresponds to the period when the lower heart chambers are relaxing electrically and preparing for their next muscle contraction.

Exercise electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

Normal:	You reach your target heart rate (based on your age) and can exercise without chest pain or other symptoms of heart disease.
	Your blood pressure increases steadily during exercise.
	Your EKG tracings do not show any significant changes. Your heartbeats look normal.
Abnormal:	You have chest pain during or right after the test.
	You have other symptoms of heart disease, such as dizziness, fainting, or extreme shortness of breath.
	Your blood pressure drops or does not rise during exercise.
	The EKG tracing does not look normal.
	Your heartbeats are too fast, too slow, or very irregular.
	An extra heart sound (third heart sound) or a heart murmur is heard.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: June 23, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
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