MTWA tests may be administered in a physician’s office, hospital or outpatient clinic setting, in much the same way as a stress test. MTWA testing requires elevation of the heart rate for a short time. Patients typically walk on a treadmill for several minutes with a set of 14 electrodes on the torso: seven standard and seven high-resolution electrodes. The ECG is recorded and analyzed during rest, exercise and recovery. If you are not able to walk on a treadmill, the clinician may raise your heart rate by administering a drug or by pacing your heart.

What should I do to prepare for an MTWA test?

Generally, you should wear comfortable clothing for walking on a treadmill. Your physician may ask you to withhold certain medications on the day or morning prior to the test. Consult your physician for any pre-test instructions.

How is the MTWA test performed?

A nurse or technologist will apply the electrodes on your chest and back. These electrodes are connected to a wire that leads back to the Microvolt T-Wave Alternans testing equipment. The nurse or technologist will ask you to begin walking on a treadmill (or other piece of exercise equipment) to raise your heart rate. The exercise portion of the test will be approximately 5-10 minutes. Information about your heart rhythm will be collected and analyzed throughout the test to detect MTWA.

What happens to my test results?

Your doctor will interpret the test results and let you know if you may need further evaluation.