There is some similarity in the pattern of presentation between some pulmonary and cardiac diseases. One of the investigations that helps to identify the presence of heart disease and assess its severity is the cardiac stress test. This investigation is available in Princeton and involves a supervised physical exercise routine. The heart rhythm is assessed as fatigue sets in to determine how much it is affected by a reduction in blood flow. It is usually administered by either a trained technician or a doctor.
There are a number of different types of this investigation that can be performed. One of the types includes the use of the treadmill. One is connected to a machine known as an electrocardiogram, ECG, which determines the heart rhythm. The doctor will determine how far one can walk before they start experiencing chest pain or the ECG begins to show abnormalities.
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 nuclear stress test is another helpful investigation that can be considered. It involves the use of a small dose of a radioactive material that is introduced into the body intravenously. The substance spreads to all the parts of the body including the heart. A special detector helps identify the rays that are emitted by the substance. Those from the heart can be projected onto a monitor where they appear as a clear image both at rest and during exercise.
One needs to do a number of things as part of things as part of the preparation for the investigation. You should not eat or drink anything at least four hours prior to the exercise. Caffeine should be avoided for a minimum of 12 hours. Some drugs may interfere with the results. Such include isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate and should also be avoided.
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.
Several contraindications to the investigation exist. One of them is myocardial infarction that has occurred within 48 hours of the investigation being performed. There is a high likelihood of worsening the condition in this case. Other major contraindication is a known abnormal rhythm that is not well controlled. This abnormality must be treated first.
Making a diagnosis of a cardiac conditions usually requires a wide range of tests. These tests are needed to firstly, confirm that a heart abnormality exists and secondly, to identify the exact condition. The cardiac (ECG) stress test is among those that are commonly used for screening. Other tests are usually needed to determine the exact diagnosis.
There are a number of different types of this investigation that can be performed. One of the types includes the use of the treadmill. One is connected to a machine known as an electrocardiogram, ECG, which determines the heart rhythm. The doctor will determine how far one can walk before they start experiencing chest pain or the ECG begins to show abnormalities.
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 nuclear stress test is another helpful investigation that can be considered. It involves the use of a small dose of a radioactive material that is introduced into the body intravenously. The substance spreads to all the parts of the body including the heart. A special detector helps identify the rays that are emitted by the substance. Those from the heart can be projected onto a monitor where they appear as a clear image both at rest and during exercise.
One needs to do a number of things as part of things as part of the preparation for the investigation. You should not eat or drink anything at least four hours prior to the exercise. Caffeine should be avoided for a minimum of 12 hours. Some drugs may interfere with the results. Such include isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate and should also be avoided.
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.
Several contraindications to the investigation exist. One of them is myocardial infarction that has occurred within 48 hours of the investigation being performed. There is a high likelihood of worsening the condition in this case. Other major contraindication is a known abnormal rhythm that is not well controlled. This abnormality must be treated first.
Making a diagnosis of a cardiac conditions usually requires a wide range of tests. These tests are needed to firstly, confirm that a heart abnormality exists and secondly, to identify the exact condition. The cardiac (ECG) stress test is among those that are commonly used for screening. Other tests are usually needed to determine the exact diagnosis.
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