A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps physicians find out how well the heart handles work. As the body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen and the heart has to pump more blood. The test can show if there's a lack of blood supply through the arteries that go to the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of exercise appropriate for a patient.

A person taking the test:

• is hooked up to equipment to monitor the heart.
• walks slowly in place on a treadmill, on which the speed is increased for a faster pace and which is tilted to produce the effect of going up a small hill.
• can stop the test at any time if necessary.
• You should advise if you experience any chest pain or breathlessness of concern to you
  
• afterwards will sit or lie down to have the heart and blood pressure checked.

Heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (E.C.G.), and how tired one feels are monitored during the test.

There's very little risk in taking the test and your doctor who referred you will have assessed that the information gained would outweigh any potential problems experienced.Trained technicians should be present in case something unusual happens during the test.