Treadmill (Exercise) Test
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This test involves exercising on a treadmill - similar to those found in gymnasiums. Children from the age of 4-5 years are old enough to cooperate. It allows an objective assessment of exercise capability and may enhance diagnostic accuracy in some disease. The whole test takes about 20 minutes with the running part lasting about 10 minutes. Exercise tests may also be undertaken using static bicycles.
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The treadmill provides a staged, progressive increase in speed and load over a short period of time. In relatively fit, older patients the standard Bruce protocol should be used. In younger patients and those with moderate or severe exercise limitation the modified Bruce protocol should be employed. Saturation data are sometimes recorded in addition to HR and BP. Echocardiography may also document a significant increase in restriction to flow across valve stenoses. Measurement of the peak flow may also be helpful in some patients if breathlessness could be due to exercise induced asthma. |
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Indications
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This page was last edited 16/2/2004 |
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