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.
Stress ECG (Exercise Electrocardiography)
Introduction
Stress ECG, also called an exercise electrocardiogram, is a test used to assess how the heart performs under physical stress. It helps detect coronary artery disease (CAD) and evaluate symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath during exertion.
How It Works
- Preparation: Electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs to record heart activity.
- Exercise Phase: The patient walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bike with gradually increasing intensity.
- Monitoring: Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG readings are continuously monitored.
- Completion: The test stops if the patient reaches maximum exertion or experiences concerning symptoms.
When Is a Stress ECG Needed?
- Suspected coronary artery disease (blocks in heart arteries).
- Evaluation of chest pain to determine whether it is heart-related.
- Assessment of heart function post-heart attack or heart procedures, such as stenting or bypass surgery.
- Planning an exercise regime for patients with known heart conditions.
- Monitoring treatment effectiveness in heart disease.
What Can a Stress ECG Detect?
- Signs of reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemia)
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Blood pressure response to exercise
- Exercise capacity and heart recovery time
Interpretation of Results
- Normal: No ECG changes or symptoms.
- Abnormal: ECG changes such as ST-segment depression suggest reduced blood supply to the heart, possibly due to blocked arteries.
Risks and Limitations
- Generally safe, but may cause dizziness, chest pain, or abnormal heart rhythms.
- Cannot visualize the heart directly (unlike imaging-based stress tests like stress echocardiography or nuclear stress tests).
- Not suitable for patients unable to exercise—alternatives include pharmacologic stress tests.
Conclusion
A stress ECG is a valuable, non-invasive test for diagnosing heart disease and assessing cardiovascular health. Discuss with your doctor whether this test is right for you.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for Exercise Testing
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/cir.0b013e31829b5b44
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9207652/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0b013e31829b5b44
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/supervision-of-exercise-testing-by-non-physicians-a-scientific-statement-from-the-american-heart
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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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.