ECG + Exercise Stress Test (Add-on)

A combined resting ECG and bicycle ergometer exercise stress test add-on, measuring cardiac electrical activity at rest and under controlled physical exertion. Screens for exercise-induced ischaemia, arrhythmias, and abnormal blood pressure responses. Available at the Amsterdam IJburg location only.

While a resting ECG provides valuable information about baseline cardiac electrical function, many clinically significant conditions — particularly coronary artery disease — only manifest under physical stress when the heart's oxygen demand increases. The exercise stress test addresses this limitation by recording ECG tracings continuously while the patient pedals a bicycle ergometer at progressively increasing resistance. The test monitors heart rhythm, blood pressure, and subjective symptoms throughout the exercise protocol. Abnormal ST-segment changes during exertion may suggest inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, while exercise-induced arrhythmias or an exaggerated blood pressure response can indicate underlying cardiovascular pathology that would be invisible at rest. The test also provides an objective measure of cardiovascular fitness through exercise capacity metrics. This combined add-on includes both the resting ECG and the full exercise protocol, offering a significantly more thorough cardiac assessment than the resting ECG alone. It is available exclusively at the Amsterdam IJburg location and is particularly valuable for individuals over 45, those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, family history), competitive or high-intensity recreational athletes seeking cardiac clearance, and anyone with exertional symptoms such as chest tightness or unusual breathlessness during exercise.