Exercise Electrocardiogram
Test Overview
An exercise electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for changes in your heart while you exercise. Sometimes EKG abnormalities can be seen only during exercise or while symptoms are present. This test is sometimes called a "stress test" or a "treadmill test." During an exercise EKG, you may either walk on a motor-driven treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle.
The
heart 
is a muscular pump made up of
four chambers . The two upper chambers are called atria, and the two lower
chambers are called ventricles. A natural electrical system causes the heart
muscle to contract and pump blood through the heart to the lungs and the rest
of the body. See a picture of the
heart and its electrical system .
An exercise EKG translates the
heart's electrical activity into line tracings on paper. The spikes and dips in
the line tracings are called waves. See a picture of the
EKG components and intervals .
A resting EKG is always done before an exercise EKG test, and results of the resting EKG are compared to the results of the exercise EKG. A resting EKG may also show a heart problem that would make an exercise EKG unsafe.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: March 26, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
|
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