Exercise ECG (Treadmill Test) in Corby and London: Consultant-Led Heart Stress Test
See how your heart responds to exercise
Arrange a private exercise ECG (treadmill test) with Consultant Cardiologist Dr Salam Salloum (GMC 5209498).
An exercise ECG records your heart rhythm, ECG and blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill. It shows how your heart responds to effort, how much exercise you can do and whether exercise brings on symptoms or rhythm problems.
It is commonly used for DVLA cardiac assessments, for unexplained symptoms during exercise, and for checking known heart conditions. You can self-refer without a GP letter. The test is available in Corby and in London.
Price on enquiry
What is an exercise ECG?
An exercise ECG, also called an exercise tolerance test, treadmill test or stress ECG, is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity during physical effort. You walk on a treadmill, with the speed and slope increased in stages according to a standard protocol, such as the Bruce protocol, while your ECG, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored.
The test is supervised throughout and stopped if you develop symptoms or if the recording shows a concern.
Why might you need an exercise ECG?
- As part of a DVLA cardiac assessment, where the DVLA asks for evidence of exercise capacity, particularly for bus, coach and lorry (Group 2) licences
- Chest tightness, breathlessness, dizziness or palpitations that come on during exercise
- Checking how well you tolerate exercise if you have a known heart condition, such as after a heart attack, stent or bypass
- Looking at how your blood pressure and heart rate respond to effort
- Looking for heart rhythm disturbances triggered by exercise
- Fitness for a physically demanding job, sport or exercise programme
What an exercise ECG can and cannot do
NICE guideline CG95 advises against using an exercise ECG alone to diagnose or rule out stable angina in people without known coronary disease, because it can miss disease and can give false alarms. If angina is suspected, a CT coronary angiogram is usually the preferred first test, with functional imaging such as stress echo if needed.
The exercise ECG remains valuable for assessing exercise capacity and the blood pressure and rhythm response to effort, for following people with known heart disease, and for fitness-to-drive assessments.
How to prepare for an exercise ECG
- Wear comfortable clothing and supportive walking or running shoes.
- Have a light meal at least 2 hours beforehand and avoid heavy meals, large amounts of caffeine and smoking before the test.
- Take your usual medicines unless we tell you otherwise. Some medicines, such as beta-blockers, can affect the heart rate response, so please tell us what you take.
- Bring a list of your medicines and previous ECGs or heart reports.
- Tell us in advance if you have joint, balance or breathing problems that affect walking, and if you have had a recent heart attack, chest pain at rest or new symptoms.
What happens during the test?
- Small electrodes are attached to your chest (the skin may need a quick shave or clean) and a blood pressure cuff is fitted.
- A resting ECG and blood pressure are recorded.
- You start walking slowly on the treadmill. Every few minutes the speed and slope increase.
- You continue as long as you comfortably can. You can stop at any time. Tell the team about chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness or any other symptom.
- You walk or sit for several minutes afterwards while the ECG and blood pressure are monitored until they settle.
The whole appointment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The exercise itself usually lasts up to 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your fitness. For a DVLA Group 2 assessment you need to be able to exercise on the treadmill for at least 9 minutes.
Is an exercise ECG safe?
An exercise ECG is a safe test when it is performed with proper supervision. Serious complications are very rare. Before the test, Dr Salloum will check that it is suitable for you. The test is not suitable if you have unstable angina, a very recent heart attack, severe symptomatic narrowing of the aortic valve, uncontrolled heart rhythm problems, uncontrolled heart failure, acute inflammation of the heart, a blood clot in the lungs, or very high resting blood pressure.
Your results and next steps
Dr Salloum reviews the recording and provides a written report covering your exercise capacity, heart rate and blood pressure response, symptoms and any ECG changes or rhythm disturbances. If you are being assessed for the DVLA, the report explains how the result relates to the cardiac standards for your licence type. The DVLA makes the final decision about your licence.
If the test suggests a problem, Dr Salloum explains the next steps, which might include echocardiography, stress echo, cardiac MRI or heart rhythm monitoring.
Further reading: British Heart Foundation: exercise ECG; NICE guideline CG95 on chest pain; DVLA guidance on cardiovascular disorders.
If you cannot manage the treadmill
If you cannot walk on a treadmill for long enough, because of joint problems, breathing difficulty or other reasons, another test may be better. An exercise or dobutamine stress echo can assess the heart under stress, including for people who cannot exercise, and a CT coronary angiogram looks directly at the arteries. Tell us before you book so we can advise on the best test.
Cost and booking
The cost of an exercise ECG depends on the assessment you need. Please contact us for a fee, and we will confirm the total cost before you book. A consultation, if you also want to discuss your symptoms or results, is charged separately. Dr Salloum is recognised by several major insurers, but cover for assessments linked to driving varies, so please check with your insurer before booking.
To arrange an exercise ECG, please use the button to send a request, and we will confirm the date and total cost before you book.
Where you can have the test:
- Corby: Innovate Diagnostics, Corby Innovation Hub, Bangrave Road South, Weldon, Corby NN17 1NN
- London: The National Heart Clinic, 69 Harley Street, London W1G 8QW
If you would like to discuss whether an exercise ECG is right for you, you can book a face-to-face consultation, a video consultation or a telephone consultation first.
Related services
Important limitations
- An exercise ECG is a planned outpatient test, not an emergency service.
- A normal test does not completely rule out heart disease, and an abnormal test does not always mean disease is present.
- The result must be interpreted with your symptoms, examination and other tests.
If you develop severe or persistent chest pain, marked breathlessness, collapse or another potentially life-threatening symptom, call 999 or attend the nearest emergency department.
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Exercise ECG FAQs
Where can I have an exercise ECG?
Exercise ECGs are available at Innovate Diagnostics in Corby and in London. Choose the location that suits you when you send your request.
What is an exercise ECG?
An exercise ECG is a test that records your heart rhythm, ECG and blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill. It shows how your heart responds to effort.
Is an exercise ECG the same as a stress test?
It is one kind of stress test. Other types include the exercise or dobutamine stress echo, stress cardiac MRI and nuclear scans, which add imaging of the heart.
How long does an exercise ECG take?
The appointment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The exercise itself usually lasts up to 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your fitness.
How fit do I need to be for an exercise ECG?
You need to be able to walk on a treadmill with a rising speed and slope. For a DVLA Group 2 assessment you need to be able to exercise for at least 9 minutes. If you are not sure, tell us before you book.
What should I wear to an exercise ECG?
Comfortable clothing and supportive walking or running shoes. Avoid heavy meals, large amounts of caffeine and smoking beforehand.
Should I take my medicines before an exercise ECG?
Usually yes, unless we advise otherwise. Some medicines, such as beta-blockers, change the heart rate response, so please tell us what you take.
Is an exercise ECG safe?
Yes. The test is supervised and stopped if you develop symptoms or the recording shows a concern. Serious complications are very rare.
Does an exercise ECG diagnose angina?
Not reliably on its own. NICE advises against using it alone to diagnose or exclude stable angina. A CT coronary angiogram or a stress imaging test is usually more accurate.
Do I need an exercise ECG for a DVLA assessment?
Group 2 (bus, coach and lorry) assessments often need evidence of exercise capacity. Whether you need one depends on your condition and licence type, as explained on our DVLA cardiac assessment page.