ETT is the short form of ‘Exercise Tolerance Test’. It is a test of the stimulated heart. Electric activities or functions (rate or rhythm) of the heart during exercise are recorded by ETT. In fact, it is an ECG test of the patient while doing exercise. This test is very important for identifying the diseases related to coronary artery. During this test, extra stress of exercise is imposed on the heart.
Partial blockage developed in the coronary arteries of heart is identified by this test. Generally, this type of abnormal condition in patient’s body cannot be identified while taking rest.
During the test, the patient is instructed to ride a stationary bicycle or to walk continuously on a treadmill machine. The physician records the ECG of the patient during exercise. By adjusting the speed of rotation of the wheel and slope of the surface, the degree of stress is gradually increased. Physicians become able to identify the changes that occur in the patient’s heart during exercise through ETT.
