When a person is believed to have cardiovascular problems, there are numerous tests that can be used at any point from diagnosis to surgery. One of the most important is the stress test. A stress test has several uses to assist doctors in making the right decision regarding heart health.

Diagnose Heart Problems

The main use of stress testing is when patients have symptoms of heart disease or other heart ailments that may not be easy to diagnose when a person is relaxed. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or chest pain are often indicative of heart problems, but they may not occur until a person is climbing stairs or otherwise active. The stress test allows doctors to either put the patient under physical exertion or simulate exertion with medication for people who cannot run on the treadmill for the test. During the test, the patient may describe experiencing certain symptoms, but the electrocardiogram can show abnormalities, such as arrhythmias. Oxygen saturation is also checked during the test, which can show a person is not getting enough oxygen during exertion.

Monitor Treatment Decisions

Once a heart problem is identified, periodic stress testing may be necessary to determine if the treatment is effective and whether the underlying condition is becoming worse. For example, doctors may discover stenosis in important blood vessels are what is causing chest pain and other symptoms. There are several treatment approaches that may be used to address the issue. Some medications are designed to dilate the blood vessels so blood is better able to flow through the vessels. The doctor might also recommend anticoagulants to minimize the chance of clots forming. Additional stress testing may help determine if these treatments are helping and whether it might be appropriate to place a stent now or wait before doing the procedure.

Pre-OP

Surgery to treat current heart conditions or even give a person a new heart is imperative to symptom reduction and longevity. However, just because a person needs a procedure doesn't mean their heart is strong enough to make it through surgery. Stress testing can help doctors determine whether a person's heart is strong enough to handle a procedure and if anything can be done in the interim to reduce the risk of mortality during surgery. For example, people on the heart transplant list are considered the most in need of help; however, there may be some people high on the transplant list that decline substantially before they reach the top of the list. These people may not be strong enough to survive the transplant, meaning the next person on the list would receive the next available heart.

Stress testing has benefits at every step from the diagnosis to the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. Your doctor may use stress testing as a way to keep a check on your condition to determine if changes in your treatment or surgery are necessary. For more information on stress testing, contact a company like Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric Cardiology.