Exercise tolerance test (ETT)

An exercise tolerance test is carried out for various reasons (for example, when a person has symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or light-headedness) and to help diagnose coronary artery disease. The test helps to find out how hard your heart has to work. As you exercise during the test, your body will need more oxygen, so the heart has to pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart.

The test involves walking on a treadmill. During the test you will be attached to an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical activity of your heart. You will also have your blood pressure recorded at regular intervals. The test has many stages, each lasting three minutes. The treadmill will get faster and steeper at each stage.

If at any stage during the test you feel that it is becoming too difficult for you, the test can be stopped.

The length of the test will depend on your ability and level of fitness, but may last up to 18 minutes. After the test you should rest for five to 10 minutes. The whole test takes up to an hour.

On the day of the test you should take all your medication as normal, unless you are told otherwise.

You should wear loose-fitting clothes and shoes that are comfortable for walking. If you are male you will do the test with no top on. If you are female you will be given a loose-fitting top to wear during the test.

You can eat and drink normally before the test, but avoid having a heavy meal in the hour before the test.

You can drive home after the test.
The technician carrying out the exercise test cannot give you the results as they may need to be passed to your doctor.

A positive result may confirm that you have coronary artery disease. If the test is positive, your doctor will decide on the next course of action needed to confirm the extent of the coronary artery disease.