ECG exercise test

[CAB96]

I’ve just done 3 sessions at local Gym stage 1 1.7mph at 10% incline fairly easy
Stage 2 2.4mph at 12% incline makes you sweat
Stage 3 is ok for 1st 30 secs but after start struggling after 1 min then just count your paces 200 ie 100 per minute and feel heart really pumping hopefully they don’t go longer , have to do test tomorrow

How did it go?

Hope it went OK for you.

 

[Badknee]

I’m going to buy some new trainers for when I have to do mine....???

You’ll be ok Smiffy, can you get your chair up to 6kmh?

 

[ceejayt]

If you take blood pressure meds are you required to do the treadmill test? I am currently doing everything I can to avoid having to take them - lost 11kg in weight so far (reduce BP by 1mm for each KG apparently) and that has helped but I am still High Normal and higher again when the doctor takes it!

Not sure whether to eventually get the meds so have low BP or not take the meds and risk showing a higher BP on the C1 test

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Badknee]

People I know have taken their BP twice a day for a week and recorded it then sent in to the not fit for purpose dvla with their application.

 

[Pausim]

I found the last couple of minutes tough going but I managed to complete the required 9 minutes. The consultant told me immediately that I had passed and also emailed me a copy of the report he sent to the DVLA. He cleared me for PHGV driving at the end of the test. After a heart attack Section 88 doesn’t apply, you can start driving over 3500kg again after 6 weeks but only if a doctor has confirmed that you meet the medical standard. My GP couldn’t do the test because they don’t have the treadmill equipment so I waited for the DVLA hospital appointment.

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[Brianmor]

This all seems unfair, I wouldn't stand a chance because of bad knees and back.
I couldn't walk more than 400m without a problem but I ride 7 - 10 miles a day on a non-electric bike almost everyday of the year and have done for the last 10 years.

 

[Coolcats]

Reckon we should all go for a V02 Max test

 

[Pausim]

This all seems unfair, I wouldn't stand a chance because of bad knees and back.
I couldn't walk more than 400m without a problem but I ride 7 - 10 miles a day on a non-electric bike almost everyday of the year and have done for the last 10 years.

I have a feeling there is an exercise bike version of the test for people with knee problems.

 

[Coolcats]

This all seems unfair, I wouldn't stand a chance because of bad knees and back.
I couldn't walk more than 400m without a problem but I ride 7 - 10 miles a day on a non-electric bike almost everyday of the year and have done for the last 10 years.

Does this help

1. The test must be on a bicycle (cycling for 10 minutes with 20 W per minute increments, to a total of 200 W) or treadmill.
2. The patient should be able to complete 3 stages of the standard Bruce protocol or equivalent safely, while remaining free of signs of cardiovascular dysfunction, viz:
   • angina pectoris
   • syncope
   • hypotension
   • sustained ventricular tachycardia
3. There must be no electrocardiographic ST segment shift (usually of not more than 2 mm horizontal or down-sloping) that is interpreted by a cardiologist as indicative of myocardial ischaemia, either during exercise or the recovery period.
4. When undertaken as part of medical enquiries regarding hypertrophic cardiomyopathy it is probable that pre-existing baseline ST segment changes will be present. In such cases it is not possible to interpret the significance of any new changes occurring during exercise. The test in this situation is being undertaken as a marker of exercise capacity.
5. Should atrial fibrillation develop de novo during exercise testing, the licensing requirements will be the same as for individuals with pre-existing atrial fibrillation – that is, provided all the DVLA exercise tolerance test criteria above are met, licensing will be subject to echocardiogram and confirmation of left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 40%.

DVLA will require exercise evaluation at regular intervals not to exceed 3 years if there is established coronary heart disease.

 

[ceejayt]

If you have no history of heart problems is there no need to do the test at all?

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[Solwaybuggier]

If you have no history of heart problems is there no need to do the test at all?

I had to do the stress test last year but have no history of heart problems as such. I did have a very minor stroke 5 years ago (which I think is vascular rather than cardio?) but is no doubt why it was required. But you have to do it if the DVLA medical section decide you do.

 

[Katies-travels]

The treadmill test is for 9 mins, 3 mins at a brisk walk, 3mins brisker walk with a slight incline, and then final 3 mins steeper incline and a little faster. I was OK after the initial 6 mins but found the last couple of mins hard work, I passed but only found out when I received the c1, the technicians, who monitored me would not advise, said the results had to be sent to dvla.
@Chocyboy recently did his and said it was a walk in the park .
Start some walking uphill, and when you do the test go in your short s and walking shoes/trainers and a tee-shirt, don't go heavily dressed.
Best of luck

I dressed the same found stage 2 hard but she only done it for 2 mins on stage 3 as reached my target heart rate havnt heard from dvla don’t know is passed or failed

 

[Burgo]

Anybody know how strenuous it is

I know not what your circumstances are, so can only tell my experience..
When I did mine after my heart attack and subsequent stenting it was keep going until either (a) they stop you because the ecg is showing an issue, or (b) you have pushed yourself to the absolute, total, limit and cannot talk, are gasping for breath and you feel like your heart will explode.

I must admit after the experience it had lifted a large amount of insecurity I had been nursing about "over doing it", as the opportunity to totally thrash yourself under tightly controlled and monitored conditions was invaluable.

Go for it! Dress appropriately (I wore shorts and trainers as you take your shirt off so you can be wired up to a 12 lead ECG and you could have wrung my shorts out afterwards) listen to the briefing and ask any questions you may have, then give it your best shot - and a bit more.

 

[SomeoneElse]

Bruce protocol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

First 3 stages

 

[Katies-travels]

Having applied for the renewal of my licence, keeping the C1 entitlement the DVLA are insisting that I take an ECG exercise test. I assume it entails a treadmill test. Anybody know how strenuous it is and what you need to do to achieve a pass. My licence runs out in October, I know I can continue to drive until I’m told not to, but if I fail I will be left with a motorhome on my drive that I will be unable to move. Is there any room for appeal,
Spongy

Hi
I have just failed the test hard work went to gym 4 times one after the other
Hook you up on chest to ecg machine then treadmill 3 mins each one
1.7 mph at 10% incline
2.5 mph at 12% incline
3.4 mph at 14% incline nearly a jog
Last one really feel it after 2 mins

Every 2 mins your still going and they take your blood pressure

All I can say if you can do 9 mins and keep with target heart rate in
My case age 70 is 127bpm
Which I didn’t achieve went up to 160bpm and stopped after 8 mins
My consultant said he could redo as was showing no symptoms and did redo and done the 9 mins still out on target heart rate havnt heard but now px my van for lighter one as found out once you have a treadmill test have to do it every year.

Good luck be interested how you get on

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