It is a cardiac stress test, measuring hearts ability to sustain stress given by exercise in controlled environment. Mainly used to diagnose Coronary artery disease or determine prognosis after Myocardial infarction (heart attack) or coronary revascularization (angioplasty or bypass surgery).
After taking history and checking vitals, chest leads are applied and patient is explained that machine will gradually increase speed and slope every three minutes. For better application of electrodes, shaving may be preferable in chest. Test can be immediately stopped if patient feels so or having chest pain, breathlessness or fatigue. Doctor can also order stopping of test upon finding ECG changes. Most adults achieve target heart rate in 9 minutes.