TMT Test : All That You Must Know Before Getting One

Treadmill test (TMT) is a type of exercise test in which a stress test is carried out when a person is exercising on a treadmill during an electrocardiogram (ECG). The main goal of a TMT is to compare blood circulation in the heart when the person is at rest and when they are at their peak physical exertion. While exercising, abnormal cardiac rhythms can be identified, allowing doctors to diagnose the presence or absence of coronary artery disease.

What Does the TMT Test for the Heart Entail?

In a medical environment, the TMT Test (also known as the treadmill test) assesses the heart's response to extreme stress circumstances.

You'll be asked to exercise - usually on a treadmill - while being linked up to electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during this test.

Let's take a closer look at this exam and assess its performance.

The Treadmill Test, often known as the Treadmill ECG, is an electrocardiogram (ECG) test performed while walking on a treadmill. It keeps track of the heart's beats. It's also possible to do it while riding a stationary bike. Heart rate, breaths per minute, and blood pressure are all monitored during a TMT test for the heart. The stress test is another name for TMT.

TMT is usually recommended by doctors to persons who have symptoms of angina (chest pain caused by a blockage in blood flow to the heart), a history of heart attack, or who have had bypass surgery.

Know the TMT full form

TMT is an abbreviation for Treadmill Test. This test is used to determine the amount of stress on your heart. It determines how far your heart can go before developing an irregular rhythm or decreasing blood flow.

What is the purpose of the TMT Test?

TMT is a test that determines how well the heart performs under stressful settings. The basic goal of a TMT is to detect any type of cardiovascular illness. The TMT test is performed for the following reasons:

Diagnose heart arrhythmia: Because TMT assists in the monitoring of ECG, it can be used to determine if you have cardiac arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat.
Confirm coronary artery disease: The TMT result aids in calculating the percentage of heart blockage and diagnosing coronary heart disease.
Before undergoing major surgery, be sure your heart is in good shape: TMT results also indicate whether a heart surgery, such as a bypass, or any other major surgery, is safe.

TMT: A cardiac process test.

The medical expert will ask you to take off your ordinary clothes and put on a robe before attaching electrodes to your chest for the TMT.

The treadmill will thereafter be used to walk on. Slowly and steadily, the treadmill's speed will increase. While walking on the treadmill, your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure will be monitored. You can get off the treadmill as soon as the doctor receives the desired outcome.

Following TMT, patients are frequently kept under surveillance for some time to ensure that their heartbeat and blood pressure return to normal.

Before undergoing TMT, you should take the following precautions.

Before performing TMT, doctors advise taking the following precautions:

Two hours before TMT, don't eat anything. Water though, on the other hand, is acceptable.
A few days before TMT, begin brisk walking.
Before TMT, stay away from tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages.
Patients with asthma should use their inhalers before TMT.

TMT Vs. 2D Echo: Which Is Better?

An ultrasound of your heart is known as a 2d echo. It's used to check how well your heart pumps and how well its valves work. It is unable to detect heart obstruction, which is the TMT test's principal role.

TMT Test Price in Delhi: Consequences

TMT is a safe test that is carried out in a controlled atmosphere by medical specialists. However, it should not be done without justification, as the TMT test has some hazards, particularly in asymptomatic people. It might generate undue tension and high blood pressure if the patient has no symptoms of heart disease and the test results come back positive. People may also get a heart attack while undergoing TMT in some instances. However, such instances are uncommon. According to studies, 1 in 10,000 people will have a heart attack while undergoing TMT.

Other dangers connected with the TMT test include the following:
While walking on a treadmill, collapsing, or fainting.
After the test, the heartbeat remains erratic for a long period.
Having chest pains.

TMT Test Price

A TMT test costs between INR 1800 and INR 2500 on average.

What Does a Positive TMT Test Indicate?

A positive TMT result could indicate that you're suffering from angina. In simpler terms, it indicates that in stressful situations, there is a lack or dearth of blood circulation to your heart. It may be caused by underlying cardiac problems. It could also suggest that your arteries are 70% blocked and you have coronary heart disease. However, one cannot be certain of the outcome; it could be untrue as well. It is therefore definitely recommended to have the TMT done again if you have no symptoms and the result is positive.

What Does a Negative TMT Test Indicate?

A negative TMT result suggests that the heart rate rises without the ECG graph changing significantly. It indicates that there is no obstruction in the heart. A negative TMT result means you don't have ischemic heart disease and that your heart gets enough blood even while you're working hard.