Ergometry

Alternative names

Stress test.

Definition

Diagnostic test that studies the response of the cardiovascular system (heart and major vessels) when the body is subjected to an effort, either physical or through the use of drugs that simulate a situation of effort.

The response to effort is measured through the collection of different vital parameters such as heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rhythm and rate, and the electrocardiographic recording of the heart (electrocardiogram) during the duration of the test.

How is the study done?

The study is carried out in a conditioned room under the supervision of a doctor and a nurse.

A treadmill (or stationary bike) is used during the test to measure the cardiovascular response to exercise.

The patient must bare arms, legs and trunk. You will be connected to a sphygmomanometer (device that measures blood pressure figures) and an electrocardiograph (device that records the electrical recording of the heart) throughout the test. You will stand on a treadmill (or stationary bike) to perform the physical stress test.

An electrocardiogram is performed prior to the start of the test, several during and another at the end of the test until the patient recovers from the physical effort. At the same time, the heart rate and blood pressure figures are recorded during the test. The duration of the test is usually 6 to 12 minutes.

Preparation for the study

The patient must agree to the examination by signing an informed consent. You should avoid the ingestion of alcoholic beverages, caffeine and other exciting hours before the test.

You must not carry out intense physical activity or regular physical exercise in the previous twelve hours and you must wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes to carry out the test.

What does it feel like during and after the study?

The stress test is painless for the patient. The patient must indicate to the doctor if he takes any type of medication before the start of the test. Physical fatigue may occur during it, the patient can end the study at any time.

In people with cardiovascular disease, chest pain or elevation of blood pressure may appear. If these situations arise, the study will be suspended.

Study risks

Exercise testing is a safe test that is performed under medical supervision. In healthy people it does not usually involve risk except for the appearance of tiredness or fatigue.

In people with significant cardiac or extracardiac disease, the following may appear during the study:

• Major fatigue
• Dyspnoea or feeling short of breath
• Hyperventilation (increased breathing rate)
• Chest pain
• Drop or rise in blood pressure figures
• Dizziness
• Syncope (sudden loss of consciousness)
• heart rhythm or rhythm disturbances

Contraindications

The performance of the stress test is totally contraindicated in people with previous severe heart disease such as:

• Acute Myocardial Infarction in the acute phase (less than 3 days of evolution)
• Unstable angina
• Severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis
• Arrhythmia with hemodynamic repercussion, without control
• Acute pericarditis
• Acute myocarditis
• Decompensated heart failure
• Physical or mental disability
• Aortic dissection (or aortic trunk disease)

The performance of the stress test is totally contraindicated in people with previous severe extracardiac disease such as:

• Severe anemia
• Dissecting aortic aneurysm
• Pulmonary embolism
• Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Acute thrombophlebitis
• Debilitating chronic diseases
• Overdose or intoxication by certain cardioactive drugs

Reasons why the study is carried out

Ergometry is a diagnostic test widely used in the field of Cardiology and Sports Medicine.

It is used to detect and monitor cardiovascular alterations that do not appear at rest and that only appear with significant physical exertion.

It can be requested as a labor or pre-employment exam. In Sports Medicine it is used as a screening test to establish the response and recovery capacity of the cardiovascular system to intense physical effort and detect possible alterations.

In the field of Cardiology it is used for the study of patients with chest pain, electrocardiogram abnormalities, dyspnea, suspected angina or myocardial infarction, etc. It allows checking the response to different treatments carried out in patients who have suffered angina or a myocardial infarction.