Steps for successful stress testing

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• Have the patients identify themselves by reciting their full name to the GXT tech.

• Correctly enter into the computer system patient demographics and medications worthy of noting.

  Referring and attending physicians should be added as well. 

• Measure resting blood pressures sitting and standing before prepping the patient

• Men and women have different preparatory steps

  Shave any areas in which hair may interfere with EKG leads

  Use the gel scrub and or alcohol wipes on the surface of the skin before placing electrodes

• Place electrodes on the supine patient with two leads on both upper and lower limbs and press record on the EKG monitor.

•  Replace limb leads with their proper modified placement for sufficient movement when walking on the treadmill.  Press record on EKG machine. 

• Have patient stand on treadmill while holding onto handrails.

  Press record on the EKG monitor

• Bruce protocol: speed and incline will increase starting at 1.7 mph

  Speed and incline will increase every 3 minutes

• Measure blood pressure every 2-3 minutes throughout the test

• Keep an eye on heart rate to make sure it does not surpass max rates

• Motivate your patient to complete the test to the best of their abilities

• At complete exhaustion cool your patient down and have them sit in a chair until heart rate is brought back to baseline