Heart, lungs and nerves tests
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ECGA recording of your heart's electrical activity. Small pads are stuck on your skin. No electricity goes into you. It is safe.⏱ usually 5 to 10 minutesExercise ECGYour ECG is recorded while you walk on a treadmill or pedal an exercise bike. The effort is increased step by step.⏱ usually 30 to 60 minutes in the room; the exercise itself takes 8 to 15 minutesHolter monitorA small device on your belt records your ECG for a full day, sometimes 2 to 3 days, while you go about your normal life.⏱ 10 to 15 minutes to fit; usually worn for 24 hours24-hour blood pressure monitoringA cuff is put on your upper arm, with a small device on your belt. For 24 hours, it measures your blood pressure by itself, day and night.⏱ you usually wear the device for 24 hoursSpirometryA test of how much air you breathe in and how fast you breathe out. You breathe into the tube of a machine. It is safe and has no needles.⏱ usually 15 to 30 minutes, up to 45 minutes with an inhaler testEEG (electroencephalogram)A recording of your brain's electrical activity, using sensors on your head. No current is sent through the sensors. They only listen.⏱ usually 20 to 40 minutes; a sleep recording takes longerNerve and muscle test (EMG)The doctor checks how signals travel along your nerves and how your muscles work. Sensors on the skin, weak electrical pulses, and sometimes a thin needle are used.⏱ usually 30 to 60 minutesSleep study (polysomnography)While you sleep at night, your breathing, blood oxygen, pulse, brain activity, and movements are recorded. Sensors are stuck on your body. No needles.⏱ one night, usually from evening to morning