However, a regular stress may be sufficient in stable patients or those with a low suspicion of coronary artery disease who are being assessed for exercise tolerance (for example, prior to undergoing a structured exercise or rehab program). In all such cases, the physician will usually order an Echo Stress Test or a Nuclear Stress Test, particularly if he or she is suspecting coronary artery disease. Therefore, the reliability drops drastically if there are significant EKG changes at rest (for example in patients with long standing high blood pressure, an artificial cardiac pacemaker, use of medications like digitalis, or presence of a bundle branch block pattern, etc.). Please remember that the regular stress test is heavily dependent upon interpretation of EKG changes produced by exercise. To look for exercise-induced serious irregular heart beats.To evaluate blood pressure response to exercise in patients with borderline hypertension.To evaluate exercise tolerance when patients have unexplained fatigue and shortness of breath.Patients with significant risk factors for CAD.Patients with symptoms or signs that are suggestive of coronary artery diseases (CAD).When is a Regular Stress Test ordered? A regular stress test is considered in the following circumstances: Most commonly, a motorized treadmill is used for exercise, while a stationary bicycle is used in some exercise laboratories. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), and the EKG may produce characteristic abnormalities. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of distribution. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery that has a blockage. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may become unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise. How does a Regular Stress Test Work? Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal symptoms and an unremarkable or unchanged EKG while at rest. How is a Treadmill Stress Test performed?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |