Stress Tests...

When one is excited, walking fast, climbing a staircase or running- the heart rate increases putting it under “stress”. When the heart muscle and blood vessels supplying it are in good condition, the heart is ‘conditioned’ and no discomfort or pain is experienced on exertion.

However, if the heart is unable to take the load or enough blood doesn’t reach the heart muscle, there is pain, discomfort or some signs of protest. Stress tests are noninvasive procedures that they provoke and detect signs of decreased blood supply to the heart muscle.

This is done by the use of exercise employing the treadmill, bicycle or handgrip. If one is unable to exercise because of orthopaedic conditions, old age or other problems, then non-exercise modalities area adopted. Stress Echocardiography helps to detect myocardial ischemia at stress.

Stress thallium myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is useful to diagnose and assess patients recovering from a known acute heart attack. Dr Mahapatra explains, “This novel diagnostic test helps in detecting the status of the live/dead heart muscle. It is useful in women having suspected or confirmed underlying coronary heart disease.”