Don’t be anxious if you have to do cardiac stress test, which are very quick and pain-free. Typically, people are done very quickly, and the only thing that you will find difficult is the exercise itself.
They can see what is happening with your heart once it is stressed. It is a necessary component of the test itself. How healthy your heart is will only be determined if it is stressed so they can see how it is actually functioning. Now let’s look at some general, as well a specific, topics on cardiac stress tests today.
Sometimes having to take a stress test doesn’t mean that you have a heart condition. A pipe that is partially clogged up that is feeding a pump – think of that. You may hear odd noises coming from the pump, which may make you believe it’s not functional. The same thing applies to your cardiovascular system, and that’s why your doctor may order a stress test. Your arteries and veins might be clogged, which is an assumption based upon our lifestyle and diet in the United States. But the thing to know is that this is not the kind of test that is given for no good reason. If you are having an annual physical, a treadmill stress test might be part of what you go through. You won’t have to be injected with radioactive dye as this is not a nuclear stress test which requires some type of imagery.
Many problems may show up for the cardiovascular system from time to time. If you are given medication for any type of problem related to your heart, a stress test is standard procedure. This does not mean there’s always a problem, and it may be to see what the medication is doing. After the test results come back, your medication could be adjusted or changed altogether. Diagnosing whether or not improvements have been made can only be shown through tests for your heart. Every person is different, each with a different condition, which may require different stress tests to evaluate the results. Another reason for performing a test is to see how well an operation went for the patient. After the procedure, doctors will do this to see if progress has been made.
It is essential that you have a word with your doctor about the different types of stress tests if he recommends you undergo one. There are certainly distinctions like whether you get an EKG or an image. However, you shouldn’t settle for what’s obvious. You need to understand why one option is preferable to another and the only person really in the position to explain this to you is the cardiologist. It’s usually the cardiologist, or specialist, who makes the call. Nuclear stress tests cost a bundle, especially when compared to the treadmill test. The radioisotopes in your blood stream take approximately seven days to break down. The treadmill/EKG stress test is a much better option for you if the idea of radioactive elements being injected into your system doesn’t sit well with you.
The important point about stress tests is they are very useful for finding out what’s happening with your heart and overall cardiovascular system. On the other hand, if you feel the need to get another opinion that’s fine. You may have to take another stress test, but that’s no problem and it may be worth it.