About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Exercise ECG (Stress Test)
Introduction
Exercise ECG, also known as a stress test or treadmill test, is a diagnostic tool used to assess heart function under physical exertion. It helps detect coronary artery disease (CAD), evaluate exercise tolerance, and monitor treatment effects in patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Why Is It Performed?
- Detection of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Helps identify blockages in the coronary arteries by analyzing how the heart muscle responds to increased workload.
- Assessment of Arrhythmias: Exercise can trigger ECG changes that reveal arrhythmias not seen at rest.
- Evaluation of Exercise Tolerance: Determines how well the heart handles physical activity, useful for patients with heart conditions.
- Monitoring of Treatment Efficacy: Helps assess the effectiveness of medications or treatments for heart disease.
How Is It Done?
- Electrodes are placed on the chest to record heart activity.
- The patient walks on a treadmill or uses a stationary bike with increasing intensity.
- Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are continuously monitored.
- The test ends when the patient reaches target heart rate, experiences symptoms, or shows ECG abnormalities.
Results Interpretation
- Normal: Heart functions properly under stress.
- Abnormal: Indications of ischemia (lack of blood flow), arrhythmias, or other cardiac conditions may require further testing (e.g., echocardiography, coronary angiography).
Risks and Contraindications
- Generally safe but may provoke chest pain, dizziness, or arrhythmias.
- Contraindicated in cases of severe aortic stenosis, uncontrolled hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, or unstable angina.
Conclusion
Exercise ECG is an important non-invasive test used in cardiology to evaluate heart health and guide treatment decisions. Always consult your cardiologist for personalized advice.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for Exercise Testing
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9207652/
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000034670.06526.15
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/S0735-1097%2802%2902164-2
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.96.1.345
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Chronic-Coronary-Syndromes
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/45/36/3415/7743115
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504439/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/3/407/5556137
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39210710/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.