Treadmill Stress Test and Stress Echocardiography in Limassol

A cardiac stress test shows how your heart responds when it has to work harder. At Cardiology Center Zacharias Kounnis in Limassol, the exercise stress test is performed on a treadmill with continuous ECG, blood pressure and oxygen saturation (O₂) monitoring, and can be combined with stress echocardiography to image the heart before and after exercise.

Many heart problems are not visible when you are resting. Exercise increases the heart's demand for oxygen, which can reveal reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, exercise-related rhythm problems or an abnormal blood pressure response.

Why a Stress Test Is Performed

Your cardiologist may recommend a stress test to:

• investigate chest pain, chest tightness or breathlessness that appears with exertion;
• assess for coronary artery disease and its severity;
• evaluate palpitations or arrhythmias that occur during exercise;
• measure exercise capacity and fitness before starting an exercise programme;
• check the effect of treatment in people with known heart disease;
• assess some valve conditions or heart muscle disorders under exertion;
• complete a risk assessment as part of preventive cardiology or our Check Up Plus heart check-up.

Our article What Is a Stress Test and When Is It Recommended? explains this in more detail.

Exercise ECG and Stress Echocardiography

Treadmill exercise ECG

You walk on a treadmill while your ECG, heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms are monitored. The speed and incline increase in stages, so the effort is gradual. Changes on the ECG during or after exercise can point to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle or exercise-induced rhythm disturbances.

Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring

Oxygen saturation is recorded throughout the test. This adds useful information when breathlessness is the main symptom, as it helps to distinguish heart-related limitations from other causes.

Stress echocardiography

In a stress echo, an echocardiogram is recorded at rest and again immediately after exercise. Areas of heart muscle that do not contract normally under stress may indicate a narrowed coronary artery. Combining imaging with the exercise ECG increases the information obtained from a single test. The NHS echocardiogram guide describes stress echocardiography as one of the main types of echo.

How to Prepare

• Wear comfortable clothing and trainers or walking shoes.
• Have only a light meal in the hours before the test.
• Bring a list of your medicines. Some heart medicines, such as beta-blockers, can affect the result; only stop a medicine if your cardiologist specifically advises you to.
• Avoid smoking and large amounts of caffeine on the day of the test.

What Happens on the Day

1. Dr Kounnis reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines you.
2. ECG electrodes, a blood pressure cuff and an oxygen saturation sensor are attached.
3. If stress echo is part of the test, resting images of the heart are recorded.
4. You walk on the treadmill until you reach the target heart rate, develop significant symptoms or the doctor stops the test.
5. Monitoring continues during recovery, and post-exercise images are recorded if a stress echo is being performed.

Including preparation and recovery, the appointment usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes. You will be able to stop at any time if you feel unwell.

Is a Stress Test Safe?

An exercise stress test is a well-established and generally very safe test. It is performed under direct medical supervision, with monitoring throughout, and the effort is increased gradually. The risks are similar to those of any comparable physical exercise and are carefully considered before the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot walk on a treadmill?

If walking is difficult because of joint problems or other conditions, Dr Kounnis will discuss other ways of assessing your heart.

Does a normal stress test mean my heart is healthy?

A normal result is reassuring, but no single test excludes every heart condition. Results are interpreted together with your risk factors, blood tests and other examinations.

When will I know the results?

The main findings are usually discussed with you at the end of the test.

If you are over 40 or have risk factors, our guide Heart Check-Up in Cyprus: Which Tests After 40? explains where a stress test fits, and 10 warning signs lists symptoms that should not be ignored.

Book Your Stress Test in Limassol

To arrange an appointment, call +357 25 389696 or contact our cardiology centre in Limassol. Bring any previous reports, test results and a list of your current medicines. If you are unsure which test you need, the team can help you decide before your visit. You can also read more about Dr Zacharias Kounnis and our cardiology centre.

This page provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have severe chest pain, sudden breathlessness or fainting, call 112 immediately.