Tread Mill Test (TMT) / Stress Test
A Treadmill Test (TMT)—also called an exercise stress test—is a non-invasive test used to evaluate how your heart responds to physical exertion.
During this test, you walk (and later jog) on a treadmill while your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and ECG (electrocardiogram) are continuously monitored.
What TMT Helps Detect
- Coronary artery disease (blocked heart arteries)
- Exercise-induced chest pain (angina)
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Exercise tolerance/fitness level
- Effectiveness of heart medications or procedures
How the Test Is Done
- Electrodes are attached to your chest for ECG monitoring.
- You start walking at a slow speed with little incline.
- The speed and incline increase every 3 minutes (Bruce protocol is common).
- Test continues until:
- Target heart rate is reached, or
- You develop symptoms (chest pain, breathlessness), or
- There are abnormal ECG or blood pressure changes.
Why Doctors Recommend TMT
- When a patient has chest pain, breathlessness, or suspected heart disease
- To assess heart fitness before surgery
- To monitor known heart disease
- For certain jobs or fitness evaluations
Is TMT Safe?
Yes, it’s generally safe. The test is supervised by trained medical staff. Rare complications include chest pain, arrhythmias, or fainting—but emergency equipment is always available.