Heart Disease and Stress Tests
A stress test can be used to test for heart disease. Stress tests are performed by a doctor to determine the amount of stress that an individual’s heart can manage before developing an abnormal rhythm or ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). The most common stress test is the exercise stress test.
Exercise Stress Test
The exercise stress test also known as an exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), is used to evaluate how the heart reacts to exertion. It typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty. During the exercise, the individual’s electrocardiogram, heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored.
Nuclear Stress Test
A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to an individual’s heart muscle both at rest and during stress. It’s performed similarly to a routine exercise stress test, however, with a nuclear test, there are captured images which indicate areas of low blood flow through the heart as well as areas of damaged heart muscle.
Nuclear stress tests are often given to individuals who are suspected to have coronary artery disease or arrhythmia. The test can also be given to individuals who have already been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or arrhythmia in order to figure out how efficiently a treatment is working to relieve the symptoms.
For more specific questions relating to the above stress tests, contact us today
