Cycle ergometry - indications and principle of conduct
Veloergometry (VEM) is an electrographic type of examination that is performed during physical exertion. In simple words, the patient pedals a special exercise bike, and the doctor takes readings of the work of the heart and vascular system. The examination makes it possible to diagnose heart failure, angina pectoris, problems with heart rhythm in a hidden form, which are not detected by a classic cardiogram. Another name for the loading examination is the treadmill test. A treadmill with a variable angle of inclination is used for its passage.
Indications for bicycle ergometry
Not every patient can be prescribed such an examination by a cardiologist, many problems in the work of the heart and blood vessels are revealed by an ordinary cardiogram. Indications for treadmill test and cycle ergometry:
- patient complaints about periodic pains in the area of the heart of unknown etiology;
- the presence of signs of angina pectoris with the impossibility of confirming them during a routine examination;
- diagnosed lipid metabolism problems in the absence of severe coronary heart disease;
- detected abnormalities in the cardiogram against the background of the absence of any symptoms.
Doctors recommend taking a treadmill test to people who are professionally involved in sports or who like heavy physical exertion at home. Divers, pilots, cosmonauts, and professional drivers must undergo this examination.
Cycle ergometry is also performed on patients undergoing treatment for cardiovascular diseases. This allows dynamic monitoring of the state of health and timely correction or change of therapy tactics.
Contraindications for VEM
There are clearly defined contraindications for cycling ergometry:
- persistently low blood pressure accompanied by frequent fainting;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- severe somatic pathologies that can distort the results of the examination - for example, kidney failure, spinal injuries, liver failure;
- inflammatory diseases of heart tissues - pericarditis, myocarditis;
- severe mental disorders, when the patient does not understand what is required of him;
- aneurysm;
- thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery.
There are a number of conditional contraindications that allow the examination, but under the supervision of a doctor. When examining such a patient, one should remember the high risk of deterioration of his health. So, conditional contraindications include:
- the presence of artificial valves in the heart;
- diabetes;
- pregnancy in the 2-3rd trimester;
- hepatitis and HIV infection;
- too low level of hemoglobin;
- oncological diseases.
Cycle ergometry cannot be performed on patients younger than 17 years old and older than 70 years old.
How VEM is conducted
Before performing bicycle ergometry, the patient should prepare - give up smoking and taking medicines for the day, and do not drink coffee and strong tea 12 hours before the procedure.
What is a VEM examination:
- sensors are attached to the patient's chest;
- a cuff is put on the shoulder to measure blood pressure;
- the patient begins to turn the pedals of the exercise machine - first slowly, then with acceleration;
- the doctor takes a cardiogram at this moment;
- after stopping work on the simulator, the specialist takes readings for another 10 minutes.
Treadmill test is conducted according to the same principle. The only difference is that the patient works on a treadmill. The procedure begins with a calm walk, and ends with a run.
Normal indicators during cycle ergometry will mean the absence of heart and vascular disorders. Experts recommend to undergo such an examination regularly - at least once a year.
All information about the conduct and price of bicycle ergometry can be obtained from our specialists, whose contacts are available on the pages https://dobrobut.com/.
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