|
|
Stress
Test
The stress test incorporates the use of the electrocardiogram
before, during, and after a period of exercise.
During exercise, the heart’s need for oxygen
will increase. If the need for oxygen is not satisfied
during a period of stress (patient on the treadmill),
theoretically, an abnormal change on the ECG indicates
the existence of coronary artery disease. The cardiac
stress test is performed on patients with complaints
of episodic chest pains of uncertain origin.
This test is not performed on patients
who are actively experiencing chest pain while at
rest. Stress testing may also be used to search
for cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients
with symptoms of light-headedness, dizziness, or
fainting with activity. Patients over the age of
35, or those with cardiac risk factors, have been
recommended for general screening, in an attempt
to uncover asymptomatic cardiac disease.
|
• |
No eating, smoking, alcohol or caffeinated
beverages at least 3 hours prior to the test.
|
|
• |
There are more false positive exams (ECG changes
without significant heart disease) in younger
patients without a history for cardiac symptoms.
|
|
• |
20-30% of patients with “normal”
stress tests will still have significant heart
disease (false negative rate). |
|
• |
20-50% of patients can have falsely abnormal
studies (false positive rate). |
|
• |
Death rate from exercise tests is quite low
and estimated at around 1 in 10,000.
|
RETURN
TO ENCYCLOPEDIA 
|
|
|
|
