During a Stress Test (also called
Treadmill or
Exercise EKG), the patient is attached to an EKG machine as described in the
EKG section. However, rather than lying down, the patient exercises by walking on a treadmill while the EKG is recorded. This test is done to assess changes in the EKG during stress, such as exercise. A doctor is always present during this test to observe the EKG's.
A stress test can include x-rays of the heart before and after the exercise portion, but not always. The x-ray portion allows the doctors to evaluate the blood flow at rest and after exercise.