Having an ECG/EKG while put on a treadmill

I’ve had several. Typically get your heart rate up to 85% max for your age. After I had ankle surgery, I couldn’t run on a treadmill so they put me on a bike. Had a lot of trouble reaching the desired heart rate so they offered to chemically induce it. I declined and pedaled my ass off…took a while but I made it. I think they wanted to induce it because it was taking so long!

As far as stress tests go I would much prefer the treadmill , us folks with disabilities get a shot that makes your heart go like your running the tresdmill well you just lie in bed . I have dated some evil medication ,this one is the top of the list by a treadmill mile ,LOL

Yes, on a treadmill, about 15-20 years ago, now 71.

Male, not topless, t-shirt

Done by my cardiologist, no stethoscope during treadmill, results negative.

Probably after my complaints of chest tightness. None since, no meds.

Eric

Back in 1996 after a CABGx6 I had to do the treadmill thing before starting cardiac rehab. I don't think they did the EKG while I was on the treadmill, they had me lay in a table as soon as I cried uncle after 10 minutes on the treadmill. That's where they did the EKG. The treadmill increased it's angle every 3 minutes and about 1 minute into the fourth step I'd had enough and the nurse who was behind me with a cattle prod to make me keep running backed off and ran me quickly over to the waiting table for the EKG.

I've done a lot of them but never had one. The protocol was to do a 12 lead before and after, then just standard monitor leads during exercise. The goal is to see if there are any ST T changes or ectopy. I preferred the Bruce protocol: 2 minutes (as I recall) of 1.7 mph at 2% incline, then 2 min @ 2.4 mph, 4% incline, 2 min, 3.4 mph at 6% and finish with 4.2 mph at 8%. I may have erred in details but it's been awhile since I've done one.

Usually women are told to open their bras too, so as not to interfere with the ECG readings

I have a couple treadmill stress test and I have had a couple chemical stress test.

What’s a chemical stress test?

@Dr. F - A Chemical stress test is where the heart is sped up (stressed) by giving medications rather than by having the patient exercise on a treadmill or bicycle. It is used for patients with disabilities, or who are very poorly conditioned.

I did have a few stress tests after a surgery about 3 urs ago and as the electrodes are connected on the chest I have been topless during all of them. Results of the test were good enough as the power of the last one was 275 Watts when I did stop the test … would have liked it to be higher but it had been enough as it was also quite warm last september when I did the test.

30 degrees outside and somewhat more inside the room and there wasn’t enough oxigen anymore to keep on going 🤔🙂

Bare chested and wired-up when I had it done.

The Doc was encouraging me to go a little harder but I had to tell him:

not on these knees, that's all yer gonna get.

Funny treadmill story - while I was waiting I saw an employee tasked with cleaning the track of another treadmill. She was going back and forth with a damp rag, using a lot of effort in the process. I offered the opinion - hey why don't you turn it on slow and you can stay in one place in stead of scooting back and forth, let the track come to you. She said - good idea, I'll do that!

Bare chested and wired-up when I had it done.

The Doc was encouraging me to go a little harder but I had to tell him:

not on these knees, that's all yer gonna get.

Typically they want to get you to 85% of the max heart rate for your age, so they may push or encourage you to work harder to achieve it. Like you, I need a low impact exercise. Last one I had was on a cheap stationary bike (no incline resistance) and it was tough to reach the target…would’ve been better off on a stair machine.

I've had a few ECGs whilst on an exercise bike. Shirtless whilst wearing gym shorts, socks and trainers, and wired up over my chest.

Was stethed before, at points during and after. I was also asked to speed up to bring my heart rate up.

For daltonclancy

you said that at 14 you had a stress test but also mention that you had physical exam that day as well. Would you care to tell us about the exam. Sounds like both of your parents were with you. So for the exam, was one of more parent in the room for your exam. How , when , and to what extent did you have to undress and in front of whom.

For daltonclancy

you said that at 14 you had a stress test but also mention that you had physical exam that day as well. Would you care to tell us about the exam. Sounds like both of your parents were with you. So for the exam, was one of more parent in the room for your exam. How , when , and to what extent did you have to undress and in front of whom.

I was age 14 and had to have a physical for a few reasons. I was being released from Foster Care to my adoptive home and as such the state required I undertake a comprehensive physical exam. I was also participating in athletics at my new High School and a physical exam was also required.

When my FP's took me in at 11 I was very underweight and asthmatic with anxiety and insomnia. They provided me guidance and support to help me improve my overall health. During this exam I was still about 10 pounds underweight but I was definitely growing and becoming more muscular. I was getting more self confident.

The doctor escorted me back to an exam room. I went alone this year( which was a real milestone for me) and the doctor asked me to undress to my underwear. Unfortunately the state form required a rectal exam. After taking my vitals the doctor informed me what was going to happen. She suggested we get the worst part over first ( genital and rectal). She then complimented me about the noticeable improvements in my body and mind. She noticed I seemed more confident and the exercises (weight training and swimming) were paying off. A male PA I had seen for a few sick visits entered the room. I was instructed to remove my underwear, place my hands by my head with my feet shoulder width apart. She felt my femoral pulses, my head, shaft and scrotum. I was given a testicular exam, and checked for a hernia. Then I had to lean over the exam table. Lubricant was applied followed by a finger insertion a speculum the a swab.The worst part (thank goodness) was over but I was very distraught. After getting my underwear on the PA had me sit back on the exam table. My doctor held my hand and said "deep breathing exercises like your parents showed you, it's ok the worst is over " When I regained my composure the PA put his hand on my shoulder and offered few kind words then left the room.

The rest of the exam was relatively standard. Head to toe. In addition to the cardiac stress test I had a pulmonary function test and two immunizations were updated. I had to run in place for three minutes to see how well my body responded to exercise. Then I was sent for lab tests (blood and urine)and a chest X-ray prior to the stress test.

What's a chemical stress test?

What's a chemical stress test?

For people who can’t exercise to get their heart rate up for a stress test, they can introduce drugs via an IV to induce your heart to respond as if you were exercising. Essentially, they artificially increase your heart rate with chemicals.

I've had a couple. Usually doing the test with the doctor standing there the whole thing

I just had one last week and they waited for a doctor to come in before pushing the chemical in the IV.

My first stress test 28 years ago after 6x CABG before letting me start cardiac rehab was on a treadmill that had a sticker on it saying "this machine causes heart attacks". Since that one all have been with me lying down and a doctor present when they shoved the juice in. I also had a lovely nurse whom I knew from rehab to hold my hand while they did it. I never even felt short of breath which I guess is the reaction that scares most people.

Made me think of that song lyric by Nervous Norvus "Shoot the Juice to me Bruce". I think the song was Transfusion.

I had a nuclear stress test once after an anomaly showed up in my yearly EKG scan. Same as the treadmill test with the added bonus of having a radioactive dye injected into you and going through two rounds of being scanned with a camera for gamma rays! They asked me to show up with running shoes and shorts on. A nurse shaved parts of my chest (always a lovely looking pattern-not!) and you remain shirtless for the next hour or so. Next a med-tech comes in with bright yellow box (pencil box size) with nuclear symbols on it. The Tech is wearing lead gear and reassures you that all of this perfectly safe! Haha! It probably is and the Tech stated that he has to wear the gear because he is working with this radioactive dye all day, everyday, and I am only getting a small amount. He injects it into my vein and then I waited 20 minutes while the med team waits to see if you transform into the incredible hulk. I jest. It's to let the dye get pumped around your body and through your heart. Then you they have you lie down on table with a gamma camera (looks like a CT scanner) and take pictures. This provides a baseline of my heart at rest. Then comes the stress test. They hooked me up with a set of ECG electrodes and took me into a room with 4 or 5 other guys who were all running on treadmills and they put me on an incline to get my heart racing. Once I hit the desired level the nurse removed the electrodes and then brought me back to the lead suit guy and he injected me with another dose out of the radioactive box. After waiting 20 minutes I was scanned with the gamma camera and the before and after pictures are compared.

Yes, I did an EKG examination with a bare chest

I had a nuclear stress test a few months ago

Yes I had a ECG while I was doing a stress test on a treadmill a couple years ago. Also took one many years ago and it was the same way. I think that's pretty much standard procedure so they can monitor your heart under extreme load and also see if you're going to have a heart attack.

Btw, also had a echocardiogram with last stress test. They tried doing the echo before the stress test. But since my heart sits lower in my chest, they couldn't get any good pics. So they hooked a IV up to me before stress test, about 2 mins before test was over, they shot a contrast into my IV. They got good pics then and everything checked out ok. 👍