The Exercise Tolerance Test or ETT was until recently a commonly used test to diagnose coronary heart disease. Newer techniques are now available but the ETT remains a valuable test in assessing exercise capacity and symptoms.  A normal exercise test still remains a reassuring test in someone with suspected heart disease.

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The test involves being attached to an ECG monitor whilst simultaneously undertaking exercise on a treadmill. As time passes the treadmill becomes steeper and quicker making your heart work harder.  The doctor and physiologist look at the ECG recordings to see if there are changes to the electrical activity in the heart.  The test is stopped once the patient develops symptoms or a target heart rate is achieved.

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Click here for the BHF information video.