Heart disease can mimic many other forms of illness a fact that greatly delays the making of a proper diagnosis. A cardiac stress test is one of the most useful investigations of not only diagnosing heart disease but also assessing its severity. The investigation, available in Princeton, is usually performed by either a doctor or a trained technician and specifically determines how much physical exercise one can tolerate before their rhythm is affected by reduced blood flow.
There are a number of different types of this investigation that can be performed. One of the types includes the use of the treadmill. One is connected to a machine known as an electrocardiogram, ECG, which determines the heart rhythm. The doctor will determine how far one can walk before they start experiencing chest pain or the ECG begins to show abnormalities.
Another commonly performed test is the Dobutamine or Adenosine Test. This type is offered as an alternative to persons that cannot participate in supervised physical exercise. Adenosine and dobutamine are pharmacological agents that have the ability to stimulate the heart in the same way as exercise does. A stress echocardiogram uses a heart ultrasound to visualize the image of the heart as it transitions from a resting state to a strained state.
The nuclear stress test is another helpful investigation that can be considered. It involves the use of a small dose of a radioactive material that is introduced into the body intravenously. The substance spreads to all the parts of the body including the heart. A special detector helps identify the rays that are emitted by the substance. Those from the heart can be projected onto a monitor where they appear as a clear image both at rest and during exercise.
As part of the preparation, there are a number of things that one needs to do. The general advice is that one should fast for at least 4 hours before the investigation. Caffeine is likely to affect the results and should be avoided for at least 12 hours prior to the exercise. Drugs to be avoided include isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate.
Apart from diagnosing abnormalities in heart flow within the heart, the stress test has several other benefits. For instance, it is important in monitoring the effectiveness of drugs used to treat angina. When treatment is initiated, persons with angina are expected to have increased tolerance to exercise. Another important role is its use in the assessment of valve function especially in patients that have had artificial valves implanted.
The stress test is not for everyone. There are a number of situations in which it is contraindicated. One example is a person who has had a myocardial infarction within 48 hours. Persons who already have abnormal heart rhythm and are not on treatment may exhibit abnormal responses. The abnormalities should be treated first.
Making a diagnosis of a cardiac conditions usually requires a wide range of tests. These tests are needed to firstly, confirm that a heart abnormality exists and secondly, to identify the exact condition. The cardiac (ECG) stress test is among those that are commonly used for screening. Other tests are usually needed to determine the exact diagnosis.
There are a number of different types of this investigation that can be performed. One of the types includes the use of the treadmill. One is connected to a machine known as an electrocardiogram, ECG, which determines the heart rhythm. The doctor will determine how far one can walk before they start experiencing chest pain or the ECG begins to show abnormalities.
Another commonly performed test is the Dobutamine or Adenosine Test. This type is offered as an alternative to persons that cannot participate in supervised physical exercise. Adenosine and dobutamine are pharmacological agents that have the ability to stimulate the heart in the same way as exercise does. A stress echocardiogram uses a heart ultrasound to visualize the image of the heart as it transitions from a resting state to a strained state.
The nuclear stress test is another helpful investigation that can be considered. It involves the use of a small dose of a radioactive material that is introduced into the body intravenously. The substance spreads to all the parts of the body including the heart. A special detector helps identify the rays that are emitted by the substance. Those from the heart can be projected onto a monitor where they appear as a clear image both at rest and during exercise.
As part of the preparation, there are a number of things that one needs to do. The general advice is that one should fast for at least 4 hours before the investigation. Caffeine is likely to affect the results and should be avoided for at least 12 hours prior to the exercise. Drugs to be avoided include isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate.
Apart from diagnosing abnormalities in heart flow within the heart, the stress test has several other benefits. For instance, it is important in monitoring the effectiveness of drugs used to treat angina. When treatment is initiated, persons with angina are expected to have increased tolerance to exercise. Another important role is its use in the assessment of valve function especially in patients that have had artificial valves implanted.
The stress test is not for everyone. There are a number of situations in which it is contraindicated. One example is a person who has had a myocardial infarction within 48 hours. Persons who already have abnormal heart rhythm and are not on treatment may exhibit abnormal responses. The abnormalities should be treated first.
Making a diagnosis of a cardiac conditions usually requires a wide range of tests. These tests are needed to firstly, confirm that a heart abnormality exists and secondly, to identify the exact condition. The cardiac (ECG) stress test is among those that are commonly used for screening. Other tests are usually needed to determine the exact diagnosis.
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