DVLA stress test!

angiep

angiep

Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Posts
201
Likes collected
832
Location
norfolk
Funster No
44,504
MH
Autotrail Scout
Exp
Since 2016
My 73 year old husband has been sent for a treadmill ECG stress test to renew his C1. This was due to him having a suspected TIA 2 years ago.
He is currently training on a treadmill to try and get ready for it. As we understand the test is.
1.7 mph at 10% incline for 3 minutes
2.5 mph at 12% incline for 3 minutes
3.4 mph at 14% incline for 3 minutes
With the heart rate not exceeding 85% of Max, which in his case is 220-73x85% = 125.

Does anyone know if it is classed as a failure if his heart rate hits 125 before he completes the test?
Or is the purpose to get his heart up to 125 even if it is before he gets to 9 minutes?

He hasn't managed to complete the test yet but is improving. The stress test is aptly named!!😂😂. I'm stressed and I haven't even got to do it!
 
Many people think that 9 minutes on a treadmill is easy, but it isn't. I've had one every year since my heart problem in 2016 and it never gets easier. DVLA love me to have treadmill test every year.
Good luck with yours.
 
wiljoy said:
Many people think that 9 minutes on a treadmill is easy, but it isn't. I've had one every year since my heart problem in 2016 and it never gets easier. DVLA love me to have treadmill test every year.
Good luck with yours.
Click to expand...
It seems to me that it is the elevation that is the killer! I'm assuming you manage the 9 mins without breaching your 85% maximum heart rate. Do you know if it's classed as a fail if you can't do 9 minutes without heart rate reaching 85% max? Is that the purpose of the test?
I'm going to email the consultants Secretary the questions so we at least understand what hubby is trying to achieve.
 
I used to have to do treadmill test as part of triennial work medical. Wired up to ECG machine. They used to get spare staff available in the event of a collapse. They stopped the test when my heart rate rose over a limit they did not disclose.

Suspect it’s a fail if you can’t complete the test without your heart rate going over the limit!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
If I remember correctly, they monitor your blood pressure as well as your heart rate and monitor an ecg while this us going on.
Or at least that's what happened with me a few years back as part of a full check up not related to DVLA.
However, one of the questions on the D4 is, have you ever had the stress test? when I applied at 70 for my renewal they wanted to see the result s of the test I had taken years before.
Your heart rate during exercise is a measure of fitness, its what happens to your ecg when you reach and maintain that level is the important thing.
 
angiep said:
My 73 year old husband has been sent for a treadmill ECG stress test to renew his C1. This was due to him having a suspected TIA 2 years ago.
He is currently training on a treadmill to try and get ready for it. As we understand the test is.
1.7 mph at 10% incline for 3 minutes
2.5 mph at 12% incline for 3 minutes
3.4 mph at 14% incline for 3 minutes
With the heart rate not exceeding 85% of Max, which in his case is 220-73x85% = 125.

Does anyone know if it is classed as a failure if his heart rate hits 125 before he completes the test?
Or is the purpose to get his heart up to 125 even if it is before he gets to 9 minutes?

He hasn't managed to complete the test yet but is improving. The stress test is aptly named!!😂😂. I'm stressed and I haven't even got to do it!
Click to expand...
I would advise him to refrain from caffeine for 24 hours before the test. That includes tea and cocoa and decaffeinated variations. That’s what I had to do in hospital recently to ensure an accurate test.
They do advise this on some websites about the DVLA treadmill stress test too but may not tell you.
 
Riverbankannie said:
I would advise him to refrain from caffeine for 24 hours before the test. That includes tea and cocoa and decaffeinated variations. That’s what I had to do in hospital recently to ensure an accurate test.
They do advise this on some websites about the DVLA treadmill stress test too but may not tell you.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. He has changed to decaf coffee for this month leading up to the test but will abstain for the 24 hours before the test. Every little helps.
 
I'm no medic. but I suggest that it would be almost impossible to go up a 14% hill doing 3.4 mph without the heart going over 125 bpm.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I wish your husband well for the test.

I had a quick look on YouTube but couldn’t see anything about preparing for the test. I would have thought breathing exercises might help.

I did find this, sorry to teach you to suck eggs:

 
With my latest C1 application I included my Camino cert. showing I had walked 729k in 29 consec. days in Spain and in an accompanying letter, challenged anyone aged 60yrs at DVLA to out walk me.
I got my C1!
 
There is a lot of useful information in this guide


I think the information about a TIA is on page 30 and information on the stress test in an appendix about page 118. It’s not all about heart rate, they want blood pressure to remain or rise, not fall and of course they check the ecg pattern. Looking at those and the echo scans all seems a dark art to me !

On DVLA website it says that drivers who had grandfather rights to C1 go into group 2 bus and lorry when reapplying for licence.
 
Personally i think a 2 minute phone call with a DVLA customer service agent is a stress test in itself


And i just failed one , trying to get a refund for a road tax renewal they took 2 months ago. That they shouldn't have.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Emmit said:
With my latest C1 application I included my Camino cert. showing I had walked 729k in 29 consec. days in Spain and in an accompanying letter, challenged anyone aged 60yrs at DVLA to out walk me.
I got my C1!
Click to expand...
But did you get it any quicker than it took to do the pilgrimage walk? ;)
 
angiep said:
My 73 year old husband has been sent for a treadmill ECG stress test to renew his C1. This was due to him having a suspected TIA 2 years ago.
He is currently training on a treadmill to try and get ready for it. As we understand the test is.
1.7 mph at 10% incline for 3 minutes
2.5 mph at 12% incline for 3 minutes
3.4 mph at 14% incline for 3 minutes
With the heart rate not exceeding 85% of Max, which in his case is 220-73x85% = 125.

Does anyone know if it is classed as a failure if his heart rate hits 125 before he completes the test?
Or is the purpose to get his heart up to 125 even if it is before he gets to 9 minutes?

He hasn't managed to complete the test yet but is improving. The stress test is aptly named!!😂😂. I'm stressed and I haven't even got to do it!
Click to expand...
It's not the heart that is the problem on these tread mill tests it's the knees and lungs.
I found it best to go for a few more regular walks a few months before the test to get my leg muscles in shape and my lungs working better.
Also found better to take longer strides when on the tread mill rather than ending up running like the proverbial hamster in a wheel.
Playing upbeat music certainly helped and keeps your mind on the song rather than how much longer you have to go ,plus its more relaxing .
Also wear shorts and a loose top which you may have to remove anyway for the monitoring tabs and your comfiest walking shoes. (y)
 
Currently in the same situation as OP, and similarly doing gym work to prepare. From my experience so far, first 2 levels are simple - in fact the first is almost too slow a pace to walk easily. But I find the 3.4mph pace really difficult - too fast to walk easily, not fast enough to jog - I'll keep trying! I don't find the incline a particular problem.
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
But did you get it any quicker than it took to do the pilgrimage walk? ;)
Click to expand...
No Jim,
I could have done the Via de la Plata (1000k+)AND the Camino Frances in the time it took to send it back.
Posted 22/2/22 it landed 14/5/22 with a start date of 11/5.
 
Just to reiterate, don't confuse fitness with heart stressed.
If you are fit your heart rate will take longer to get to the level they want.
That does not mean it won't show signs of stress when it gets there.
It is what happens to your heart when it is stressed to the required level. Not if you are knackered or your heart goes over the determined stress level for your age.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
The test is conducted after signing to agree that you accept the risk of a heart attack but they are only carried out with a crash team being immediately available.
Full monitoring throughout and they will stop the test if the results dictate it.
I would advise anyone who undertakes the test and passes it to get a copy of the results. My test ten years ago was passed with ease and I didn’t declare a failure on my HGV renewal but now they ask (last renewal 2019) if you have ever taken a test. 8 months without my HGV as the hospital had to confirm that they had no records of a failure and my photocopy of the disputed renewal where I proved they altered the question from ’have you ever failed’ to ‘have you ever taken’. It was a nightmare as I couldn’t legally drive the motorhome anywhere till resolved.
 
Emmit said:
I'm no medic. but I suggest that it would be almost impossible to go up a 14% hill doing 3.4 mph without the heart going over 125 bpm.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree. It seems like an impossible task. If he was younger his maximum permitted heart rate would be higher so it's almost like the older you are the more difficult they make it!
 
Solwaybuggier said:
Currently in the same situation as OP, and similarly doing gym work to prepare. From my experience so far, first 2 levels are simple - in fact the first is almost too slow a pace to walk easily. But I find the 3.4mph pace really difficult - too fast to walk easily, not fast enough to jog - I'll keep trying! I don't find the incline a particular problem.
Click to expand...
Good luck. Hubby is struggling with the 3.4. He can manage the 14% at 2.5 (not easy but he can do it). He did 3.1 for 4 mins today at 7.5%. Is working on the speed at the moment. Test is booked for 22nd June but we think if he still feels he needs more prep time we will try to postpone it to give him the best chance of passing. Keep us posted as to how you are getting on.
 
I can walk forever up inclines but after a lifetime walking it is unnatural to walk at over 3mph.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I have to do this stress test every time I apply for my C1 following a stroke which is now 17 years ago. What i don't understand is why they want to check your heart when you've had a stroke or TIA? I've never had a problem with my heart and the last time I went the medic doing the test said 'I don't know why they waste your time and mine making you do this'.
 
Where can I find a list of conditions that would require a treadmill test? I need to find out if I will have to have one in a couple of years time. In the mean time I’m doing the Couch to 5k scheme to get my fitness up. I think my local park run has a section that must be at least 14%!
 
stevec said:
Where can I find a list of conditions that would require a treadmill test? I need to find out if I will have to have one in a couple of years time. In the mean time I’m doing the Couch to 5k scheme to get my fitness up. I think my local park run has a section that must be at least 14%!
Click to expand...
the pdf document that I linked to above is comprehensive. Retaining a C1 comes under Group 2 column. For example under neurological conditions and TIA, it states a stress test.
 
angiep said:
Good luck. Hubby is struggling with the 3.4. He can manage the 14% at 2.5 (not easy but he can do it). He did 3.1 for 4 mins today at 7.5%. Is working on the speed at the moment. Test is booked for 22nd June but we think if he still feels he needs more prep time we will try to postpone it to give him the best chance of passing. Keep us posted as to how you are getting on.
Click to expand...
Can I ask where you’ve heard the maximum heart rate requirement? I can manage the 3 stages, but certainly not at under 125 bpm.
My understanding is that (as Phill D says in post #20) it’s essentially a test to check how your heart responds when placed under greater stress, to see if you’re likely to black out, and not a fitness test as such. Would it not then be more logical to set a minimum heart rate to ensure your heart is under sufficient stress? Looking back at the post #1, surely it is the second of the options you pose in the middle paragraph?
Obviously it may relate to individual health conditions, although Appendix C in the guidance , linked in post #14, doesn’t seem to refer to it (purely a lay reading of it!)
 
angiep said:
It seems to me that it is the elevation that is the killer! I'm assuming you manage the 9 mins without breaching your 85% maximum heart rate. Do you know if it's classed as a fail if you can't do 9 minutes without heart rate reaching 85% max? Is that the purpose of the test?
I'm going to email the consultants Secretary the questions so we at least understand what hubby is trying to achieve.
Click to expand...
I've always managed the test as I'm still pretty active in life. It's not worth worrying about reaching the goal on a test. I've never looked into the pitfalls and won't.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top