Assess patient's tolerance to increase intensity of an exercise while being monitor for cardiac symptoms such as myocardial ischemia.
Types of protocols include:
Trendmill
Cycle ergometrer
UE's ergometer
Procedure typically
Progressive exercise with greater increments of work
This includes varying speed and resistance depending on the machine
Absolute termination of a the test include when
Systolic BP decreases by 10 mm Hg or less regardless of increased workload with myocardial symptoms
Moderate to severe angina
3/4 on the scale
Increased nervous symptoms
Signs of poor perfusion (circulation)
Cyanosis (blue skin)
Pallor (pale skin)
Constant ventricular tachycardia (without change)
Signs when to maybe terminate test
Systolic BP decreased by or less regardless of increased workload without myocardial symptoms
Fatigue
SOB
Wheezing
Leg cramps
claudication
Increased chest pain
maybe signs of angina
maybe signs of ischemia
Hypertensive response
250/115 mm Hg
Signs of cardiac arrhythmias
Results
Negative
low probability of coronary artery disease
Positive
High probability of coronary artery disease