Exercise stress testing for the family physician: Part I. Performing the test

Equipment required for exercise stress testing includes a monitor, a recorder and a treadmill or ergometer, and costs from about $13,000 to $18,000. Primary candidates for the procedure include asymptomatic patients at high risk for coronary artery disease and patients with atypical chest pain. Careful pretest patient selection will usually prevent complications such as precipitation of an acute myocardial infarction. The physician performing the test is responsible for selecting the appropriate exercise protocol, monitoring the patient during the test and determining when to terminate the test.