Definition of Treadmill, exercise

Treadmill, exercise: A machine used to obtain a continuous electrocardiogram recording of the heart as a patient performs increasing levels of exercise. An exercise treadmill permits the detection of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and provides a screening test for the presence of narrowed arteries to the heart (coronary arteries). Narrowing of these arteries can limit the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle during exercise.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
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Last Editorial Review: 3/30/2012