I went in for all my testing today. They ordered a treadmill stress test after I told them that I don't exercise and due to my knee problems, can't climb stairs easily. I am worried about the test. There is no way I am able to run on a treadmill. Have any of you had the treadmill stress test? If so can you enlighten me a little? How fast does it go?

I went in for all my testing today. They ordered a treadmill stress test after I told them that I don't exercise and due to my knee problems, can't climb stairs easily. I am worried about the test. There is no way I am able to run on a treadmill. Have any of you had the treadmill stress test? If so can you enlighten me a little? How fast does it go?

I had to walk until my heart rate went above 160. Notice I said walk, because I really didn't run. I was nervous too, but it was easy. Don't stress about it!

I went in for all my testing today. They ordered a treadmill stress test after I told them that I don't exercise and due to my knee problems, can't climb stairs easily. I am worried about the test. There is no way I am able to run on a treadmill. Have any of you had the treadmill stress test? If so can you enlighten me a little? How fast does it go?

Hi,

They will not make you run if you cannot run. I just had to walk fast till my heart rate went up. Do not worry you will be fine.

Stay well.

Mary

Thank you for your answers. Thinking back to what the doctor said, something has me curious. I am pretty sure he mentioned something about the stress test not holding up the approval process. I wish I would have thought about it at the time but he made me nervous. He seemed almost repulsed when I said that I got winded walking up one flight of stairs.. uggg.....

You have to go until your heart rate reaches a certain point. I assume if you're not used to exercising that should not be very fast for you. I was doing elliptical for years so it takes more to get my HR high, so mine was almost at a run somewhat and at a big incline. The moment my HR reached the point the girl asked if I wanted to stop and I was like YES.

I just had that last week. It is about getting your heart rate up. The quicker it goes up the better. I had to do it for 6 minutes. I was a bit winded and my throat was dry, but that was it. And I'm 56. I dent have to run, just walk fast.

They won't press you too hard. And if the tread mill isn't available to determine certain physiological status questions, there is a 'chemical stress' test. At the time of my own preOp testing, I was in a chronic panic/anxiety mode and made far more of both of them than actually they amounted to being in reality.

Don't fret about either. And in not too long postOp you'll surprise yourself at just how far you CAN walk without issues.

cheers in your journey