|
|
|
GENERAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT |
 |
|
TMT(STRESS TEST)
|
It is common to find heart patients who have normal ECG. One must remember that
the ECGs are taken at rest when the heart is beating at its lowest rate. Even
with 90% blocks the patients can have a normal ECG. In such cases the patient
would also agree that at rest there is no pain in the chest, the angina symptoms
would only come when they increase the heart rate, while doing some physical
exertion like walking.
|
TMT test is also called Exercise Stress Test, Computerised Stress Test or simply
Stress test. This is the most easy, popular and common test performed on heart
patients to determine the severity of the heart disease. Taken at an interval,
this test can also show the improvement or deterioration of patient's angina. |
|
Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal symptoms and an
unremarkable or unchanged EKG while at rest. However, symptoms and signs of
heart disease may become unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of
exercise. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open
channel) than an artery that has a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more
blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In
contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of
distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during
exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or
inappropriate shortness of breath), and the EKG may produce characteristic
abnormalities. A stress test is usually considered in the following
circumstances:
- Patients with symptoms or signs that are suggestive of coronary artery
diseases (CAD).
- Patients with significant risk factors for CAD.
- To evaluate exercise tolerance when patients have unexplained fatigue and
shortness of breath.
- To evaluate blood pressure response to exercise in patients with borderline
hypertension.
- To look for exercise-induced serious irregular heart beats.
|
|
PREPARATION: |
- Do not eat heavily prior to the procedure. This reduces the likelihood of
nausea that may accompany strenuous exercise after a heavy meal.
- Diabetics, particularly those who use insulin must consult with Physician
before taking the test.
- Specific heart medicines may need to be stopped one or two days prior to the
test. Consult with your doctor.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for exercise.
- A patient should allow approximately one hour for the entire test, including
the preparation.
|
|
|
|