Stress EKG

The stress EKG gives information about cardiovascular changes occurring at effort. In particular, it can reveal lack of blood perfusion related to underlying ischemic heart disease (narrowing of the coronary arteries), which may not identifiable in the resting EKG.

Technically, a resting EKG is produced in the first step. In the following, the patient is subjected to a physical effort on the treadmill, using a well defined international protocol, called the Bruce protocol. Walking speed and incline on the treadmill are gradually increased every 3 minutes and the EKG is continuously recorded during the whole procedure. Blood pressure is also recorded every 3 minutes, using a sophisticated blood pressure monitor.

Usually, the test is continued until the target heart rate is reached or it may be discontinued due to occurrence of symptoms or EKG abnormalities, indicating an underlying cardiac problem.

Don’t forget to bring along sports footwear (trainers, sneakers), when you are scheduled for a stress test.

Dr. S. Tabbara, MD

Internist and Cardiologist

Weiherweg 62

CH-4054 Basel

Phone +41 61 302 85 85

Fax +41 61 301 58 41