13/03/2026
What is Exercise ECG (Treadmill Stress Test – TMT)? 🫀🏃♂️
Exercise ECG is a cardiac diagnostic test used to evaluate how the heart works during physical stress (exercise). The patient usually walks on a treadmill while the electrical activity of the heart (ECG), heart rate, and blood pressure are continuously monitored.
Consultant commonly request this test to detect coronary artery disease, exercise-induced arrhythmias, and exercise tolerance.
Purpose of Exercise ECG
To detect reduced blood flow to the heart muscles (ischemia)
Diagnose coronary localization of reduced blood flow to heart muscle
Evaluate exercise capacity and fitness level
Identify exercise-induced arrhythmias
To Evaluate the treatment effectiveness (medication)
Post myocardial infarction(heart attack )evaluation
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Job Role of a Cardiac Technician in Exercise ECG 🩺
Cardiac Technician is a trained person to perform several diagnostic test to identify the heart disorders, performing TMT is one of the important responsibilities.
1. Patient Preparation
Explain the procedure clearly to the patient
Obtain informed consent
Check patient history and contraindications
Prepare skin and attach ECG electrodes correctly
Trace baseline ECG, calculate heart rate, and measure blood pressure on resting stage
2. Equipment Preparation
Prepare and calibrate treadmill and TMT work station.
Ensure proper lead placement and signal quality
Select appropriate exercise protocol (e.g., Bruce or Modified Bruce protocol)
3. Monitoring parameters and ECG during the Test
Continuously monitor ECG rhythm and ST- T changes
Record blood pressure at each stage
Observe patient symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath
Identify arrhythmias or abnormal ECG changes
4. Patient Safety
Terminate the test if there are identical ECG changes, severe symptoms, or abnormal blood pressure responses
Be prepared for emergency management if required
5. Post-Test Responsibilities
Continue recovery ECG monitoring
Record post-exercise vital signs
Document findings and provide proper documentation to cardiologist for interpretation
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✅ In simple terms:
The cardiac technician performs the test, monitors the patient’s heart response for exercise during the test, ensures safety, and record accurate data and provide proper documentation to cardiologist for diagnose.
ACCU