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 variety of tests that exist. The commonest type is that which involves conducting physical exercise on a treadmill. The patient is connected to a heart rhythm monitoring machine known as the electrocardiogram (or ECG). Whenever blood supply is compromised (at increased intensity of physical exercise), the same is manifested through changes on ECG patterns. Patients may also complain of chest pain that may increase with increasing strain.
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 last type is known as the nuclear stress test. Here, a small amount of a radioactive material is injected into the body and flows to all the organs. The physician uses a special camera to detect the radioactive rays that are released by the substance. The heart is projected onto a monitor as a clear image. The images are obtained both at rest and during physical exercise to detect any reduction in blood supply.
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.
Other than being vital to the monitoring of blood supply to heart muscles, this test has other benefits as well. One of the most important is its use in the assessment of the effectiveness of angina medication. It is expected that once a person starts taking these drugs their exercise tolerance starts to improve. Another benefit is its use in the assessment of valve function especially when artificial valves have been inserted.
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.
There are many types of investigations that are required for a person suffering from a cardiac condition. Some of these tests are useful as screening tools while others are used to make the definitive diagnosis. The cardiac (treadmill) stress test is commonly used for screening purposes.
There are a variety of tests that exist. The commonest type is that which involves conducting physical exercise on a treadmill. The patient is connected to a heart rhythm monitoring machine known as the electrocardiogram (or ECG). Whenever blood supply is compromised (at increased intensity of physical exercise), the same is manifested through changes on ECG patterns. Patients may also complain of chest pain that may increase with increasing strain.
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 last type is known as the nuclear stress test. Here, a small amount of a radioactive material is injected into the body and flows to all the organs. The physician uses a special camera to detect the radioactive rays that are released by the substance. The heart is projected onto a monitor as a clear image. The images are obtained both at rest and during physical exercise to detect any reduction in blood supply.
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.
Other than being vital to the monitoring of blood supply to heart muscles, this test has other benefits as well. One of the most important is its use in the assessment of the effectiveness of angina medication. It is expected that once a person starts taking these drugs their exercise tolerance starts to improve. Another benefit is its use in the assessment of valve function especially when artificial valves have been inserted.
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.
There are many types of investigations that are required for a person suffering from a cardiac condition. Some of these tests are useful as screening tools while others are used to make the definitive diagnosis. The cardiac (treadmill) stress test is commonly used for screening purposes.
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