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When Passion Meets Prudence: The Story of Marie
Marie, 42, a corporate executive in Laval, has been training religiously six mornings a week for the past three years. Running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Tuesday. CrossFit on Thursday. Swimming on Saturday.
Her progress is remarkable. She has just completed her first half-marathon in under two hours. She is already planning her next challenge: a sprint triathlon in four months' time.
But that morning, something unusual happened.
At kilometer eight of her morning run along the Mille-Îles bike path, Marie felt a slight tightness in her chest. Nothing dramatic. Just a strange sensation she'd never experienced before.
She slows down. The sensation disappears. She resumes her rhythm. The discomfort returns, more insistent.
Marie stops completely. Her heart is racing, but not in the usual post-exertion way. It's different. Disturbing.
That evening, she consulted her family doctor. After listening carefully to her symptoms, Dr. Tremblay asks a direct question: "Marie, have you ever had a stress electrocardiogram?"
The answer is no. Like so many passionate amateur athletes, Marie threw herself heart and soul into training without ever medically validating that her cardiovascular system could handle the intensive load.
His doctor explained a little-known fact: theStress ECG Laval is not just for the sick. It's a fundamental tool for all conscientious sportsmen and women who put their hearts to the test.
This story could be yours. Or that of the thousands of runners, cyclists, triathletes, CrossFit and endurance athletes who, every week, push their bodies to the limit without ever checking the integrity of their most crucial biological engine.
Because here's the question every athlete should be asking: how can you scientifically optimize your training if you don't know your heart's real capacities and safety limits?
The stress test is not a luxury. It's life insurance. And paradoxically, in Quebec, it's a free examination with a medical prescription, thanks to the RAMQ.
Yet the majority of amateur sportsmen and women have never benefited from it. Some out of ignorance. Others are discouraged by the waiting times in the public system, which can stretch over several months.
Marie was lucky. Her doctor told her about the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval. Appointment obtained within a week. Free examination. Results sent within 24 hours.
What seemed like a major logistical hurdle turned into a simple, quick and safe process. Most importantly, it provided him with precise physiological data that revolutionized his training approach.
This story illustrates a fundamental medical reality: the cardiac stress test is simultaneously a safety guardian and a performance optimizer. Two complementary missions, inseparable for athletes who take their training seriously.
Does your heart really speak to you? Signals You Should Never Ignore
Here's an uncomfortable truth: your heart can hide critical vulnerabilities while allowing you to perform brilliantly on a daily basis.
How is this possible?
Because many cardiovascular pathologies are asymptomatic at rest. They only manifest themselves when myocardial oxygen demand reaches a certain critical threshold during intense effort.
Take latent myocardial ischemia, a condition in which the coronary arteries present narrowings that limit blood supply to the heart muscle. At rest, the available blood flow is more than sufficient. Your resting electrocardiogram at your family doctor's? Perfectly normal.
But during your intensive Sunday morning run, when your heart rate climbs to 85-90% of your maximum, your heart's metabolic demand explodes. Suddenly, these constrictions become critical. Blood flow can't keep up. Ischemia sets in.
This is exactly when the danger becomes real. And it is precisely this situation that theStress ECG Laval is designed to detect.
Statistics on sudden cardiac death in athletes are rare but sobering. The incidence varies between 0.5 and 4 events per 100,000 athletes per year. These figures may seem low, but each event represents a life abruptly cut short, often without any warning signs.
In athletes over 35, atheromatous coronary disease accounts for 85 to 90% of acute cardiac events during exercise. In younger athletes (under 35), the causes are mainly structural: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries.
But here's the good news: the majority of these conditions can be detected by appropriate cardiovascular assessment before an accident occurs.
So when should you definitely consider a cardiac stress test?
If you experience symptoms such as chest pain on exertion, unexplained palpitations, shortness of breath disproportionate to exercise intensity, or recurrent dizziness during your workouts, the answer is immediate: now.
If you're over the age of 40 (men) or 50 (women) and regularly engage in strenuous sporting activity, preventive screening is highly recommended, especially if you have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking or a family history of heart disease.
If you're returning to sport after a long break, embarking on a new intensive training program, or preparing for a demanding competition, the stress test gives you a medically validated basis on which to start.
The fascinating paradox of the athlete's heart is its extraordinary capacity for adaptation. Regular training leads to a physiological remodeling of the heart: sinus bradycardia (resting heart rate often below 50 beats per minute), increased volume of the heart chambers, changes in repolarization on the electrocardiogram.
These adaptations are normal and beneficial. But they can sometimes mimic pathological signs, creating diagnostic confusion for a doctor not specializing in sports cardiology.
This is where the expertise of the cardiologist becomes crucial. Distinguishing between a normal physiological adaptation and a genuine cardiac anomaly requires a detailed understanding of the modifications induced by training.
The stress electrocardiogram enables you to make just such a distinction. By subjecting your heart to a controlled progressive load, the cardiologist observes how the various parameters evolve. Physiological adaptations generally normalize during exercise. Pathological abnormalities, on the other hand, persist or worsen.
Your heart is constantly speaking to you. The question is, do you really know how to listen to it?
How the Exercise ECG Transforms Your Training Approach: From Intuition to Science
Imagine driving a performance car without ever consulting the dashboard. No speedometer. No fuel gauge. No engine temperature gauge.
You'll drive by instinct, hoping never to exceed your vehicle's mechanical limits.
This is exactly how most amateur athletes train blind.
They use approximate theoretical formulas to calculate their maximum heart rate (40 - age), apply generic percentages to delimit their intensity zones, and hope that these estimates correspond to their actual physiology.
The problem? These formulas are notoriously inaccurate, particularly in highly trained individuals. The difference between theoretical and actual maximum heart rate can be as much as 10 to 20 beats per minute, completely distorting the calibration of training zones.
L'stress test solves this problem radically by directly measuring, under constant medical supervision, your actual maximum heart rate reached at the threshold of your functional capacity.
This fact changes everything.
With your clinically validated HR Max, you can now precisely define your five fundamental training zones:
Zone 1 (50-60% FC Max) Active recovery, light basic endurance. Here you build your aerobic foundation, improve mitochondrial efficiency, and promote recovery between intensive sessions.
Zone 2 (60-70% FC Max) Core Endurance. This is the zone where you spend the majority of your weekly training volume. You develop your ability to oxidize fat for energy, improve your capillary network, and build a solid aerobic base.
Zone 3 (70-80% FC Max) Moderate tempo. Transitional zone where you start to put more strain on the glycolytic system. Useful for tempo sessions and long, fast-paced rides.
Zone 4 (80-90% FC Max) Anaerobic threshold. Here you work at your lactic threshold, improving your ability to maintain sustained efforts at high intensity. This is the zone for long intervals and threshold sessions.
Zone 5 (90-100% FC Max) VO2 Max and maximum power. Short, intense intervals, development of maximum aerobic power, improved tolerance to lactic acidosis.
Without your actual HR Max, all these zones are approximate. With it, they become surgically precise tools for structuring your annual periodization.
But the stress ECG is not limited to heart rate. It also provides an estimate of your functional capacity measured in METs (metabolic equivalents), an objective indicator of your overall cardiovascular fitness.
This metric allows you to quantify your year-on-year progress. If your functional capacity increases from 8 METs to 11 METs after a well-structured training cycle, you have objective, measurable proof of the effectiveness of your program.
The stress test also assesses your blood pressure response during exercise. Excessive elevation of systolic blood pressure during exercise may signal vascular rigidity or impaired autonomic control, requiring adjustment of intensities or specific medical follow-up.
Finally, analysis of your post-exercise recovery time (the rate at which your heart rate falls in the minutes after you stop exercising) is a key indicator of the state of your autonomic nervous system and your residual cardiac risk.
Slow recovery (less than 12 beats per minute decrease in the first post-exercise minute) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and suggests parasympathetic system fatigue, often caused by chronic overtraining.
This data transforms your training approach. You move from an intuitive practice to a scientific, precise and personalized method.
At the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval, this integrated approach goes even further, with the possibility of combining a stress ECG (clinical safety, covered by RAMQ) with a VO2 Max test (performance optimization, complementary service with kinesiologist).
This combination offers the best of both worlds: the medical guarantee that your heart is healthy under stress, coupled with the precise metabolic metrics needed to reach your performance peaks.
Your training deserves more than approximation. It deserves scientific precision.
The Untold Reality: Your Stress ECG in Laval Is Free (Yes, Really Free)
How much are you prepared to invest to secure your sporting activities and optimize your performance?
500 $ ? 800 $ ? More ?
Here's a piece of information that always comes as a surprise to Laval athletes: the stress electrocardiogram is completely free in Quebec when prescribed by a physician and interpreted by a cardiologist participating in the health insurance plan.
Zero dollars. No ancillary fees. No financial surprises.
This gratuity has been guaranteed by the RAMQ since January 2017, a law that explicitly states that this medical procedure cannot legally be subject to any additional charges. This includes the cost of equipment, technical staff, electrode installation, constant medical supervision, full cardiological interpretation and transmission of results to your treating physician.
The only conditions of eligibility? Possession of a valid health insurance card and an appropriate medical prescription explicitly mentioning "stress electrocardiogram" or "stress test".
And yet, this free service remains little-known. Why not?
Because many athletes automatically associate "specialized cardiological examination" with "high private cost". They don't realize that Quebec's public system fully covers this fundamental examination.
So the real obstacle isn't financial. It's logistics.
In the traditional public sector (such as the Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé for Laval residents), waiting times can stretch from several weeks to several months, depending on the perceived priority of your file in the medical triage system.
If you have acute symptoms or high risk factors, you will be given priority. If you are an asymptomatic athlete who simply wishes to validate the integrity of your cardiovascular system before continuing your intensive training, your file will move down the waiting list.
This reality creates a frustrating dilemma for the conscientious athlete: either wait several months by putting his or her training periodization on pause (or continuing to take unevaluated risks), or forgo the test altogether.
It is precisely this bottleneck that the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval has solved with an innovative approach.
As a partner clinic RAMQCenter Cardio Laval offersStress ECG Laval with the same free-of-charge conditions as the public sector, while guaranteeing radically reduced access times: around one week to obtain an appointment with a valid RAMQ prescription.
How is this possible?
The model is based on optimized operational efficiency and a range of advanced complementary services (cardiac echography, Holter monitoring, specialized consultations, VO2 Max testing) that enable the facility to maintain its economic viability, while fully meeting its obligation to provide free prescription stress ECGs.
This strategy cleverly combines public accessibility and private speed of execution, eliminating the traditionally forced trade-off between cost and time.
In concrete terms, here's the simplified route:
Step 1 Consult your family physician and obtain a prescription for a stress electrocardiogram. If you don't have a family doctor, Centre Cardio Laval has partnered with Éden Telemed for a rapid teleconsultation and prescription if clinically justified.
Step 2 Contact the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval at: 450 629-7659
Or via their website centrecardiolaval.com
Mention that you have a RAMQ prescription. Get an appointment within a week (usually).
Step 3 Please bring your health insurance card and prescription to the appointment. The examination takes about 60 minutes (preparation, test, recovery). You receive the results immediately after the test, interpreted by the on-site cardiologist.
Step 4 The full report is sent to your GP within an exceptional 24 to 48 hours (compared with 2 to 3 weeks in the traditional public sector).
This rapid access to diagnosis fundamentally changes the equation for the athlete. You don't have to put your training on hold for months on end. You get a clear medical answer within a week, enabling you either to continue your program with complete peace of mind, or to quickly adjust your approach if an anomaly is detected.
Time is a critical resource for an athlete whose program is strictly periodized. Waiting too long for a diagnosis represents a direct opportunity cost in terms of performance.
The logistical efficiency of the Centre Cardio Laval is thus an essential performance argument, even beyond the purely medical aspect.
Your cardiovascular safety should never be compromised by financial or logistical obstacles. At Laval, that's no longer the case.
At the Heart of the Exam: What Really Happens During Your Stress ECG
The prospect of undergoing a cardiac stress test often generates understandable anticipatory anxiety. The unknown worries. Transparency reassures.
Here's exactly what happens during your stress electrocardiogram at the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval, step by step.
Preparation (15 minutes before the exam) Eat a light meal 2 to 3 hours before your appointment. Avoid caffeine and stimulants on exam day. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, a top that's easy to remove, and sports shoes suitable for walking or running on a treadmill. If you are taking cardiovascular medications (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers), ask your doctor if you should temporarily suspend them before the exam, as they may influence cardiac response to exercise.
Arrival and preliminary consultation (10-15 minutes) You first meet with the cardiologist, who will take a detailed history (medical history, current symptoms, family history, usual level of physical activity) and perform a physical examination to check that there are no absolute contraindications to the stress test. The cardiologist will give you a detailed explanation of the test procedure and obtain your informed consent.
Electrode installation (5-10 minutes) The nurse or technologist asks you to stand bare-chested (men) or in a bra (women). Self-adhesive electrodes are applied to your chest at precise locations to capture cardiac electrical activity. For men with dense chest hair, partial shaving may be necessary to optimize electrical contact. A blood pressure cuff is fitted to your arm.
Initial resting ECG (2-3 minutes) Before you start exercising, a resting electrocardiogram is recorded while you're lying quietly. This reference ECG is used to establish your baseline and detect any pre-existing abnormalities.
Progressive exercise test (10-20 minutes) You step onto the treadmill (or cycle ergometer, as the case may be). The test begins with a low-intensity warm-up phase. Gradually, in 2 to 3-minute increments, the intensity increases: the speed and incline of the treadmill gradually increase, or the pedaling resistance on the bike increases.
Three parameters are continuously monitored in real time throughout the workout:
Your electrocardiogram (electrical activity of the heart).
Your heart rate.
Your blood pressure (measured regularly at each level).
The cardiologist is at your side throughout the event, constantly monitoring your electrocardiographic trace on the monitoring screen. He or she will ask you regular questions about your level of fatigue, your breathing and any symptoms you may be experiencing (chest pain, excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations).
The aim is to reach at least 85% of your theoretical maximum heart rate, or better still, your actual HR Max (when you reach your maximum voluntary exhaustion). However, the test can be stopped earlier in several situations:
- Appearance of electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia (ST-segment undershift)
- Complex ventricular arrhythmias
- Abnormal drop in blood pressure
- Excessive rise in blood pressure (>250/115 mmHg)
- Clinical symptoms of concern (chest pain, severe dyspnea, dizziness)
- Maximum voluntary exhaustion of the patient
Recovery phase (5-10 minutes) Once you've reached maximum intensity, don't stop suddenly. You continue to walk slowly or pedal gently for several minutes to allow for gradual recovery. This phase is medically crucial: it's often during immediate recovery that certain electrocardiographic anomalies or arrhythmias appear.
The cardiologist continues to monitor your heart rate, ECG and blood pressure throughout this phase. Particular attention is paid to the speed of your heart rate recovery (an important prognostic indicator).
Immediate interpretation and report (10-15 minutes) After the test, you can rest for a few minutes. The cardiologist then analyzes all the data collected during the test and immediately explains the main results: normal or abnormal test, functional capacity achieved, maximum heart rate measured, blood pressure response, any abnormalities detected.
The complete detailed report is drawn up and sent electronically to your GP within 24 to 48 hours.
Examination security Exercise stress testing is a safe procedure when performed in an appropriate medical environment. The examination room at Centre Cardio Laval is equipped with emergency cardiac resuscitation equipment as a precautionary measure. Serious complications (cardiac arrest, infarction) are extremely rare (less than 1 per 10,000 examinations). Minor incidents (vagal discomfort, muscle cramps) are occasional but benign and resolved immediately.
Complete transparency about the process demystifies the exam. You know exactly what to expect. Anxious anticipation is transformed into confident preparation.
Center Cardio Laval: The Integrated Safety-Performance Approach Under One Roof 💙
The Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval is more than just a medical imaging clinic. It's a complete cardiovascular assessment ecosystem that merges cardiological clinical excellence with sports performance optimization.
This integrated vision responds precisely to the needs of the conscientious athlete: to simultaneously obtain the medical validation of safety AND the precise physiological data required for continuous improvement.
Clinical safety component (covered by RAMQ) : The stress electrocardiogram is the fundamental foundation. Prescribed by your doctor and carried out under constant cardiological supervision, this test ensures that your cardiovascular system has no critical vulnerabilities that could manifest themselves dangerously during intense exercise.
The Center also offers cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), an ultrasound imaging test that allows direct visualization of your heart's structure and function: size of heart chambers, thickness of ventricular walls, valve function, left ventricular ejection fraction. This structural assessment complements the functional evaluation of the stress ECG, particularly useful if the stress test reveals abnormalities requiring further investigation.
Holter monitoring (continuous electrocardiographic recording for 24 or 48 hours in your daily life) detects intermittent arrhythmias that do not necessarily occur during a short exercise test.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) assesses your blood pressure profile over a 24-hour period, detecting hidden hypertension or abnormal blood pressure variations that cannot be measured at the doctor's office.
Performance optimization : Beyond medical safety, Centre Cardio Laval offers VO2 Max testing, an exclusive service carried out with a specialized kinesiologist and requiring no medical prescription.
This test measures your maximum aerobic capacity (the maximum volume of oxygen your body can consume during maximum progressive effort) and accurately identifies your metabolic thresholds: ventilatory threshold 1 (aerobic transition), ventilatory threshold 2 (anaerobic threshold).
These data are then translated into personalized training zones, enabling you to structure your annual periodization scientifically: basic endurance workloads (zone 2), tempo sessions (zone 3), threshold intervals (zone 4), VO2 Max sessions (zone 5).
The service includes a complementary session with the kinesiologist to develop personalized training methods based on your specific results and individual sports goals.
The optimal integrated approach : The real added value lies in the strategic combination of these two components. Imagine the following route:
Week 1 You take your stress ECG with the RAMQ prescription (free of charge). The cardiologist medically validates that your heart is structurally and functionally sound under maximum stress. You obtain your clinically measured HR Max. No ischemic or arrhythmic abnormalities detected. Complete medical green light for intensive training.
Week 2 With this clinical guarantee, you take your VO2 Max test with the kinesiologist. You'll precisely identify your metabolic thresholds, your absolute and relative VO2 Max, your running economy and your crossover point (the intensity at which carbohydrate oxidation exceeds lipid oxidation).
Week 3 You'll leave with a personalized, scientifically-calibrated, medically-safe training plan. You know exactly how hard you need to train to develop your basic endurance without overtraining. You know exactly your target pace for your threshold sessions. You have the data you need to optimize your energy intake during exercise.
This sequential safety-then-performance approach is the gold standard for the evaluation of conscientious athletes. You never compromise safety for performance. You never neglect performance under the guise of medical caution. You merge the two intelligently.
Geographical accessibility : The Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval has three strategic locations to facilitate access for residents of the greater metropolitan area:
- Laval (main location)
- Mascouche (Lanaudière)
- Vaudreuil-Dorion (Montérégie/Vaudreuil-Soulanges)
This geographic distribution reduces travel times for athletes in Montreal's northern and western suburbs.
Multidisciplinary team : The team is made up of experienced cardiologists, nurses specialized in cardiology, electrophysiology technologists and kinesiologists certified in exercise physiology. This diversity of expertise guarantees comprehensive care, from medical diagnostic evaluation to optimization of athletic performance.
When safety meets performance under one roof, the conscientious athlete finally finds his ideal strategic partner for long-lasting sporting longevity and optimized athletic excellence.
Your Next Action: The Simplified Path to Your Cardiovascular Evaluation
Now you're convinced. L'Stress ECG Laval is no longer an option. It's a strategic necessity to secure your sport and unlock your next level of performance.
The question is no longer "why? but "how, concretely?
Here's your roadmap in three simple steps:
Step 1: Get your prescription
Make an appointment with your family doctor. Clearly explain your intensive sports activities (frequency, intensity, type of activity, competitive objectives). Explicitly mention that you wish to undergo a stress electrocardiogram to medically validate the integrity of your cardiovascular system before continuing your training.
If you have symptoms (chest pain on exertion, palpitations, disproportionate shortness of breath, dizziness), describe them precisely: when they appear, how intense they are, how long they last, what factors trigger or relieve them.
If you have cardiovascular risk factors (age > 40, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, family history), mention them explicitly.
Your doctor writes you a prescription for an "exercise electrocardiogram" or "exercise test". This prescription is your key to free RAMQ coverage.
Don't have a family doctor? Center Cardio Laval has established a partnership with Éden Telemed, a medical teleconsultation service enabling you to consult a doctor in just a few minutes by telephone or video. If your clinical situation warrants an examination, the teleconsulting physician can provide you with the necessary prescription directly.
Step 2: Contact the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval
Once you have your prescription, contact Centre Cardio Laval directly:
By phone : (450) 629-7659 (lines open Monday to Friday)
Online : Visit us at centrecardiolaval.com
And use the online appointment form
Clearly state that you have a RAMQ prescription for a stress ECG.
The administrative team will verify your contact information, confirm your RAMQ eligibility, and suggest an appointment slot within the following week (usually).
Ask for the precise address of the clinic closest to your home (Laval, Mascouche or Vaudreuil-Dorion) and for parking instructions.
Step 3: Prepare and present yourself for your appointment
On the day of your exam :
✅ Bring your valid RAMQ health insurance card.
✅ Bring your original medical prescription.
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
✅ Bring suitable sports shoes for walking/running on treadmills.
✅ Have a light meal 2-3 hours before the appointment.
✅ Avoid caffeine on exam day.
✅ If you are taking cardiovascular medication, follow your doctor's instructions on how to take it before the exam.
Allow around 90 minutes for the entire process (administrative reception, preparation, examination, retrieval, discussion of results).
And after the exam?
You receive an immediate interpretation of the main results by the on-site cardiologist. The full detailed report is sent to your attending physician within 24 to 48 hours.
If the test reveals abnormalities requiring further investigation (cardiac ultrasound, Holter monitoring, in-depth cardiological consultation), the cardiologist will refer you directly to the appropriate services, available on site at Centre Cardio Laval.
If the test is reassuring and normal, you'll leave with your clinically validated FC Max and the medical certainty that your heart is fit to support your intensive training. You can then look forward to the complementary VO2 Max test to optimize your training schedule.
The decision is now yours.
You can continue to train blindly, hoping that your heart will indefinitely bear the load you're putting on it.
Or you can take an hour of your time to get the medical validation and physiological data that will radically transform your training approach.
The investment in time is minimal. The benefit in terms of safety and performance is maximum. And let's not forget: it's free with a RAMQ prescription.
Visit centrecardiolaval.com or call (450) 629-7659 today to take the plunge.
Your heart deserves this attention. Your performance deserves this precision. Your sporting longevity deserves this guarantee.
Frequently asked questions about Stress ECG in Laval
Is a stress ECG really free in Laval?
Yes, absolutely. The stress electrocardiogram is fully covered by the RAMQ when prescribed by a physician and interpreted by a cardiologist participating in the public health insurance plan. No ancillary fees have been legally permitted since 2017. At Centre Cardio Laval, you won't be charged anything if you present a valid RAMQ prescription and your health insurance card.
How long do I have to wait for an appointment?
At the Centre d'évaluation cardiovasculaire de Laval, the average turnaround time for a stress ECG with RAMQ prescription is around one week, compared with several weeks or months in the traditional public sector (hospitals). This rapid access means you can continue your training without prolonged interruption.
What's the difference between a resting ECG and a stress ECG?
The resting ECG captures a static image of your cardiac activity while you lie quietly. It lasts a few minutes. A stress ECG, on the other hand, records your heart's electrical activity while you walk or run on a treadmill at progressively increasing intensity. It lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Many dangerous cardiac abnormalities (myocardial ischemia, certain arrhythmias) only manifest themselves during exercise, hence the importance of dynamic testing for athletes.
Is the exam dangerous?
Stress testing is a very safe examination when carried out in an appropriate medical environment with constant cardiological supervision. Serious complications (cardiac arrest, infarction) are extremely rare (less than 1 per 10,000 examinations). The examination room is equipped with emergency resuscitation equipment as a precautionary measure. The cardiologist can stop the examination immediately if any abnormalities appear.
Do I have to fast before the exam?
No, you don't have to fast. On the contrary, it's advisable to eat a light meal 2 to 3 hours before the test to give you energy during the effort. Simply avoid heavy meals that are difficult to digest, as well as caffeine on test day.
What's the difference between the exercise ECG and the VO2 Max test?
The stress ECG is a medical diagnostic test designed to detect cardiovascular pathologies (ischemia, arrhythmia). It is covered by the RAMQ with prescription and performed under cardiological supervision. The VO2 Max test is a performance evaluation that measures your maximum aerobic capacity and identifies your metabolic thresholds to optimize your training. It is performed with a kinesiologist, does not require a prescription, and is a complementary service. Ideally, the two tests are combined: the stress ECG validates your medical safety, the VO2 Max optimizes your performance.
Can I have a stress ECG if I have no symptoms?
Yes, absolutely. The stress ECG is not just for symptomatic people. It is also a preventive screening tool for asymptomatic athletes who wish to validate the integrity of their cardiovascular system before pursuing intensive training, particularly if they are over 40 or have cardiovascular risk factors.
How long does the complete examination take?
Allow around 60 to 90 minutes in total: administrative reception (5-10 min), preliminary consultation with the cardiologist (10-15 min), electrode installation (5-10 min), resting ECG (2-3 min), progressive stress test (10-20 min), recovery phase (5-10 min), discussion of results (10-15 min).
When will I receive my results?
You receive an immediate interpretation of the main results by the cardiologist directly after the examination. The full detailed report is transmitted electronically to your attending physician within 24 to 48 hours, significantly faster than the 2 to 3 weeks usually required in the public sector.
