Treadmill Test (TMT): Price, Procedure, Preparation, & Results
A treadmill test determines how good your heart responds when working in the most demanding situation. A person will be asked to exercise on a treadmill during the test. This treadmill was kept attached to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine. This electrocardiogram allows the expert to monitor the heart rate of a person.
Test details in Brief
| Also known as | Stress test, TMT Treadmill test. |
| Purpose | Identification of heart condition. |
| Preparation | wear comfortable clothes; no smoking and drinking. |
| Fasting | 4 hours before the test |
| Reporting time | 24 hours |
| Cost | Rs 960 to 2880 |
Treadmill test cost
The test price depends on the diagnostic centre, city and home collection. However, generally, it would range from Rs.
| Popular Lab | Price |
|---|---|
| Dr lalpathlab | |
| City X-ray | Rs 2800 |
| Janta X-ray | Rs 2625 |
| Ganesh diagnostics | Rs 2400 |
| Mahajan Imaging | Rs 2250 |
| National Imaging | Rs 2400 |
| Prognosis laboratories | Rs 1400 |
The table below lists the prices for popular diagnostic centres. You can click on the following link to get the diagnostic centre list and Treadmill test cost in your city
| City | Price |
|---|---|
| Treadmill test price in Delhi | Rs 1400 to 2880 |
| Treadmill test price in Gurgaon | Rs 2250 to 2375 |
| Treadmill test price in Hyderabad | Rs 960 to 1600 |
| Treadmill test price in Kolkata | Rs 1530 |
| Treadmill test price in Mumbai | Rs 1350 to 2000 |
| Treadmill test price in Pune | Rs 1600 |
| Treadmill test price in Chennai | Rs 1530 |
Purpose of the treadmill test:
There are the following conditions for a treadmill test.
- To determine the functioning of the heart in diabetic patients or other underlying conditions with increased risk of heart diseases.
- To assess the risk of complications in patients requiring non-cardiac surgery.
Why go for a treadmill test?
The treadmill test for the heart is important, and it is used to determine the heart’s performance in stress-inducing factors. This test helps evaluate certain heart issues, such as
- Various defects in your valves or muscles.
- To figure out if the blood supply to your heart muscle is sufficient.
- For determining the electric stability of the heart at rest and during exercise.
- It helps determine whether a patient requires invasive testing to confirm a diagnosis or a treatment that might decrease heart attack risk.
How is a treadmill test done?
Here is a step by step description of what happens during a stress test using a treadmill:
- The Doctor will attach sticky electrodes to the person’s chest to monitor the heartbeats by taking some readings.
- The person will stand upright on the treadmill.
- As the treadmill moves, the person will walk slowly. And eventually, the speed of the treadmill will increase.
- The treadmill may adjust to an uphill or incline position.
- After the completion of running, the person may breathe into a mouthpiece to measure the air they exhale (breath out).
- The treadmill will stop working, and the person will lay down while the doctor measures blood pressure. The person can exercise for 10 to 15 minutes but can stop at any time if they feel uncomfortable.
- The result is then recorded on Electrocardiogram.
Preparations for Treadmill test:
The following points need to be considered before performing the treadmill test for the heart.
- A person shall not drink, eat or smoke before the treadmill test.
- A person must not consume caffeinated drinks, including tea and coffee.
- Some medications might interfere with certain stress tests. Ask Doctor if it is safe for you to continue taking all of your medications before the test.
- Tell your doctor and the health care expert that you use an inhaler. If you use an inhaler for asthma, carry it to the test.
- Wear comfortable clothes and quality sports shoes.
Who should have a treadmill test?
The doctor recommends this test if you have the following symptoms like
- Dyspnea: If a person faces shortness of breath. Then, they should go for a test.
- Angina: It is also called Angina pectoris. There is chest pain or discomfort due to poor blood flow to the heart.
- Dizziness: The feeling of sensations of being weak, unsteady and sometimes faint. The patient may also feel nausea and agitation(anxiety or nervousness).
Why treadmill test for the heart?
The treadmill test is really important for patients who have compromised heart health. With the help of the treadmill test, patients, especially elderly people, can easily assess the risk of heart diseases.
Who shall avoid the Treadmill test?
Not every person shall have a treadmill test for the heart. This test is not for people with the following medical conditions. These types of patients shall avoid the Treadmill test.
- Persons with a history of heart attacks: These patients shall strictly avoid the treadmill test. After recovering from a heart attack, the patient shall not do exercise that may be proved dangerous for the heart.
- Patient with Aortic dissection: This is a serious condition involving a tear occurring in the ear’s inner layer of the main artery (aorta).
- Severe aortic stenosis: Narrowing the heart’s aortic valve is a medical condition. The narrowed aortic valve interrupts the normal blood flow.
- Pericarditis Endocarditis, or Myocarditis: It indicates the muscle inflammation of the heart’s outer, middle and inner layers.
Treadmill test result:
The result interpretation of the treadmill test is as follows:
| Result | Significance |
|---|---|
| Normal | No significant coronary artery disease (70% or greater blockage). |
| Abnormal | May have significant coronary artery disease (70% or greater blockage). |
Treadmill test vs Electrocardiography
Treadmill Test (TMT) figures out the functioning of a stressed heart. On the other hand, Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) records the heart’s electrical activity using skin electrodes.
Risks associated with treadmill test?
Following are some risks linked with the TMT test:
- A person might be collapsed or faint while jogging on a treadmill.
- The heartbeat may be irregular for a long time after the treadmill test.
- A sensation of mild to severe chest pain.
Frequently asked questions
A treadmill test diagnoses the blockage of the heart. 2d Echo does not diagnose blockage of the heart, and it checks the pumping and functioning of the heart.
Usually no. It can not be performed at home.
The patients shall not eat or drink before the test for four hours except for water.
A nuclear stress test involves injecting a radioactive or nuclear substance for the visibility of the better result in the patients who can not run. The test measures blood flow while at rest and during activity, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.
References
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16984-exercise-stress-test
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-disease/cardiac-exercise-stress-testing-what-it-can-and-cannot-tell-you
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stress-test/about/pac-203852