Electrocardiographic exercise stress testing: an update beyond the ST segment.
Routine exercise testing is frequently ordered to evaluate a patient's cardiovascular performance. The test is more direct and less expensive than imaging technology, and derives valuable information. New variables such as dyspnea and heart rate recovery, as well as integrated scores, provide incremental value to conventional analysis of exercise-induced angina or electrocardiographic changes. Considerations relating to test accuracy in women need to be weighed. This paper seeks to make physicians aware of the current status of the test, and improve their understanding of and ability to integrate new variables and scores to more effectively manage their patients.
Higgins
John P
JP
Cardiac Stress Laboratory, Medicine-Harvard Medical School, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02132, USA. John.Higgins@va.gov <John.Higgins@va.gov>
Higgins
Johanna A
JA
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors