Some types of heart disease are quite difficult to differentiate from pulmonary of other cardiovascular disease. One of the most important investigations that re used to diagnose and determine the severity of heart disease is the cardiac stress test. The investigation is available in Princeton and involves the subject being taken through an exercise routine for a specified duration of time with an intention of determining how the rhythm is affected by a reduction in the blood supply.
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.
The Adenosine (Dobutamine) Stress Test is an alternative for persons who, for one reason or the other, cannot take part in physical exercise. Both dobutamine and adenosine are drugs that can strain the heart in similar fashion as physical exercise. The ECG is also used here to determine the any compromise in blood supply with increasing dosage of the drug just as would happen with increasing exercise intensity.
The last type of investigation is the nuclear stress test. In this type, a radioactive material is injected into the body so that it spreads to all the body organs including the heart. A special detector is used to identify the rays that are released by the radioactive substance. This helps to project the image of the heart onto a monitor 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.
This investigation has several other benefits other than being useful in diagnosis abnormal blood flow patterns in the heart. For persons that a diagnosis of heart disease has already been made, the test is used to determine the effectiveness of drugs such as those that are used for the treatment of angina. It is also used in the assessment of valve function.
There are several situations where this investigation is contraindicated. For instance, it should not be administered to persons who have experienced myocardial infarction in the last 48 hours because of the risk of aggravating the condition. It should also not be done in people who have already been found to have abnormal rhythm but are not yet on treatment.
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.
The Adenosine (Dobutamine) Stress Test is an alternative for persons who, for one reason or the other, cannot take part in physical exercise. Both dobutamine and adenosine are drugs that can strain the heart in similar fashion as physical exercise. The ECG is also used here to determine the any compromise in blood supply with increasing dosage of the drug just as would happen with increasing exercise intensity.
The last type of investigation is the nuclear stress test. In this type, a radioactive material is injected into the body so that it spreads to all the body organs including the heart. A special detector is used to identify the rays that are released by the radioactive substance. This helps to project the image of the heart onto a monitor 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.
This investigation has several other benefits other than being useful in diagnosis abnormal blood flow patterns in the heart. For persons that a diagnosis of heart disease has already been made, the test is used to determine the effectiveness of drugs such as those that are used for the treatment of angina. It is also used in the assessment of valve function.
There are several situations where this investigation is contraindicated. For instance, it should not be administered to persons who have experienced myocardial infarction in the last 48 hours because of the risk of aggravating the condition. It should also not be done in people who have already been found to have abnormal rhythm but are not yet on treatment.
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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