A Treadmill Test (TMT) or cardiac stress test is a cardiological test that measures the heart’s ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment. The stress response is induced by exercise or by intravenous pharmacological stimulation. your doctor finds out how your heart works during physical activity.

If you have chest pain, your doctor may recommend a stress test to find out if the pain is caused by reduced blood flow to your heart. A stress test also may be done if you have shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat or other symptoms that might be linked to a heart problem. During a stress test, you exercise (walk or run on a treadmill) to make your heart work harder and beat faster. While you exercise, your doctor monitors your heart with an electrocardiogram (EKG) to look for changes that may mean you have heart disease.

Your doctor may recommend a stress test if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. A stress test also may be done to help your doctor plan your care if you’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease.

There are two types of stress tests:

* An exercise stress test. You exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. This is the most common type of stress test.

* A pharmacological stress test. This type of stress test is done if you can’t exercise on a treadmill or bike. You’re given intravenous (IV) medicines to speed up your heart rate.