The cardiology exams

THE EXERCISE TEST

- Concrete achievement
- Results
- Indications
- Complications

An exercise test consists in recording cardiology parameters during an exercise. The measured parameters are the pulse, the B.P., and especially the electrocardiogram.

This exam is very frequently carried out in cardiology, and its complications are very rare.

CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENT

- Nature of the exercise

Several types of exercises exist: the one which makes the legs work and the one which makes the arms work. The most often used procedures of exercise tests use a bicycle, or a moving walkway. The exercise tests for the arms, achieved on a device looking like a rowing machine, are relatively rare and generally used in the very sporty subjects.

- Procedure of exercise

According to the patients’ parameters and their physical condition, a procedure of exercise is defined by the physician in charge of the exam. In the most classic situations, this procedure corresponds to an exercise increasing of 30 watts every 3 minutes.

- Recording the parameters

. The B.P. is collected in the arm by the nurse, every 2 minutes on average, with the help of an armband and a stethoscope.

. The cardiac frequency is measured thanks to the electrocardiogram.

. To carry out the electrocardiogram, the nurse must plug a certain number of electrodes on to the person who benefits from the exercise test.

These electrodes are distributed as follows:

Six electrodes are placed on to the thorax, at very precise places. Four electrodes are placed in the back in order not to interfere with the exercise.

Before implementing the exercise, the physician achieves a recording of the electrocardiogram.

- Practice of the exercise

As the exercise progresses, it becomes more and more difficult. Indeed, the power the patient must provide is increased at regular intervals (as a rule every 2 to 4 minutes).

The duration of this exam therefore depends on the patient's capacity to achieve the exercise, but as a rule an exercise test lasts 9 to 15 minutes. The physician remains very attentive to the whole parameters during the exercise test.

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File last reviewed on dec 18, 2011