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Exercise stress test - Risks

Alternative Names

Exercise ECG; ECG - exercise treadmill; EKG - exercise treadmill; Stress ECG; Exercise electrocardiography; Stress test - exercise treadmill

What the risks are:

Stress tests are generally safe. Some patients may have chest pain or may faint or collapse. A heart attack or dangerous irregular rhythm rarely occurs, but if it does, the patient is in the best position to receive medical attention.

Patients who are likely to have such complications are usually already known to have weak hearts, so they are not given this test.

Special considerations:

A stress test is less accurate in young or middle-aged women with symptoms that are not typical of heart disease.

Reviewed last on: 9/3/2008
Larry A. Weinrauch MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA.. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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