Hi Linda - These are the reasons that are given by Web MD for conducting stress tests:
* Determine if there is adequate blood flow to your heart during increasing levels of activity.
* Evaluate the effectiveness of your heart medications to control angina and ischemia.
* Determine the likelihood of having coronary heart disease and the need for further evaluation.
* Check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve blood flow within the heart vessels in people with coronary heart disease.
* Identify abnormal heart rhythms.
* Help you develop a safe exercise program.
I wasn't able to find any helpful references about the frequency of these tests, which seem to primarily provide diagnosic information and, to a lesser degree, help monitor cardiac treatment.
Have you asked your doctor why he/she feels the tests are needed annually or if there is another way to monitor your heart health that's less invasive? Would you consider going to another cardiologist, even if it meant some travel, to get a second opinion and/or for treatment?
Since you're in a small town you may want to consider joining an online cardiac support group where you can ask other patients about how often they have these tests. I personally have a condition that can be monitored through a bone marrow biopsy, a painful and expensive procedure. Some patients have been told they need these tests to monitor their condition when there are other tests that are less invasive and provide the needed information.
If I'm able to find more definitive information on this I will let you know. I hope this helps!
Comment Reply
Hi Linda - These are the reasons that are given by Web MD for conducting stress tests:
* Determine if there is adequate blood flow to your heart during increasing levels of activity.
* Evaluate the effectiveness of your heart medications to control angina and ischemia.
* Determine the likelihood of having coronary heart disease and the need for further evaluation.
* Check the effectiveness of procedures done to improve blood flow within the heart vessels in people with coronary heart disease.
* Identify abnormal heart rhythms.
* Help you develop a safe exercise program.
I wasn't able to find any helpful references about the frequency of these tests, which seem to primarily provide diagnosic information and, to a lesser degree, help monitor cardiac treatment.
Have you asked your doctor why he/she feels the tests are needed annually or if there is another way to monitor your heart health that's less invasive? Would you consider going to another cardiologist, even if it meant some travel, to get a second opinion and/or for treatment?
Since you're in a small town you may want to consider joining an online cardiac support group where you can ask other patients about how often they have these tests. I personally have a condition that can be monitored through a bone marrow biopsy, a painful and expensive procedure. Some patients have been told they need these tests to monitor their condition when there are other tests that are less invasive and provide the needed information.
If I'm able to find more definitive information on this I will let you know. I hope this helps!
Take care, Pat
June 8, 2010 - 6:58pmThis Comment
Reply