Exercise Tolerance Test
An exercise tolerance test (ETT) is a simple test that assesses how well your heart works under physical stress.
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- Same Day Availability
- Fixed Price Package
- Self Referral
- Health insurance
- Self-Pay Available
What is an exercise tolerance test?
An exercise tolerance test (ETT) assesses how well your heart works when you’re doing something active, like exercising.
When you exercise, your heart works harder because it needs more blood and oxygen. The test checks whether enough blood is flowing through the arteries that supply the heart.
You may need to have an exercise tolerance test for these reasons:
to detect any narrowing or blockages in the arteries that supply your heart
to help identify the cause of chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations
to assess your fitness and how your heart responds to exertion
to guide treatment plans if you already have heart disease
At Welbeck, this test is performed by our experienced cardiac physiologists in our dedicated Heart Health centre.
More information
An exercise tolerance test makes it easier to identify issues and evaluate certain heart values, such as:
the health of your heart muscles or valves
quality of blood supply to your heart muscle
the electric stability of your heart at rest and during exercise
It usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, but its accuracy increases if you continue cycling for as long as you can.
During the test, small sticky electrode pads will be placed on your chest and connected to wires. A cardiac physiologist will check your blood pressure at the start, then ask you to cycle on an exercise bike. You’ll be encouraged to continue cycling until enough information has been collected.
An exercise tolerance test is considered very safe. Complications are rare, and the cardiac physiologist will be present throughout the test. You can stop the test at any time if you feel unwell or uncomfortable.
Possible risks of an exercise tolerance test include:
fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle aches or feeling faint
abnormal heart rhythm
low blood pressure
chest pain (angina)
Before your appointment at Welbeck’s private Heart Health clinic, you’ll be asked to come wearing comfortable clothing and suitable footwear. Try to avoid eating a large or heavy meal before the test.
Take your regular medications unless your consultant informs you to stop certain ones (for example, some heart medicines may need to be paused).
Once you’ve completed the test, the cardiac physiologist will continue to monitor your symptoms, heart rate and blood pressure until they return to normal, which usually takes around 15 minutes. Once your heart rate has settled, you’ll be able to go home.
Please contact our Heart Health centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our Heart Health consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book an exercise tolerance test, you must be referred by either your GP or a Heart Health consultant following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck Heart Health consultant, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
Your consultant will explain the results soon after the test or at a follow-up appointment, depending on your clinic’s process.
Most people can return to work straight after the test. The exercise is similar to brisk walking or gentle cycling, so there’s no recovery time involved.
Most people come on their own, but you are welcome to bring a friend or family member for support if you wish.
Yes, it’s safe to drive home after the test unless the team or your consultant advises otherwise.