Five Things An EKG Stress Test Says About Your Health

For patients with an increased risk of developing Type II diabetes or heart disease, cardiometabolic testing can give board-certified physician Dr. Avi Ishaaya some helpful information before they experience symptoms. At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, we help our patients monitor these risks with EKG stress testing. You may be at risk for metabolic syndrome, which is diagnosed by our board-certified physician after a stress test. A treadmill EKG stress test or echo stress test are two ways that we can gain some insight into your current and future health at the same time.

Who should consider an EKG stress test?

Men and women in Los Angeles, CA who should consider having stress tests include patients:

With a family history of diabetes, stroke, or heart disease
With a poor diet or who live a sedentary life
Who smoke
Who are overweight or obese
Who are over 45
Who have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, or have known hormone imbalances

Dr. Ishaaya can evaluate your health to determine which cardiometabolic test will be best for you.

What is the difference between EKG and echo stress tests?

Dr. Ishaaya can explain the differences between both tests at your initial visit. An EKG stress test is a common heart test. Anyone who is being evaluated for a heart problem receives this test, which is used as a screening test. At our Los Angeles, CA center, we place nodes on a patient’s chest wall that allow us to track the rhythm of their heart through an EKG heartbeat line. This gives us information about your heart rate and rhythm and helps us diagnose abnormal heart tracings, including a low or fast heart rate, an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), and even a heart block. An EKG gives Dr. Ishaaya helpful clues about possible abnormalities in your heart muscle or any enlargement of a heart chamber.

An electrocardiogram, a recording of the electrical activity of the heart, is used for patients with signs or symptoms of heart disease. During this stress test, your heart is imaged with echocardiography while resting and also after exercising. This heart ultrasound uses vibrations to create a picture of your heart in motion. You start by walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike until you reach your target heart rate. Then, an echocardiogram is taken. Next, you complete different exercises where we monitor your heart. We evaluate your heart chambers and valves while under stress to see if blood flow is good, if there is any dead heart muscle tissue, or if you experience any abnormal muscle contractions.

Can an EKG diagnose a heart attack?

Stress testing can detect a current or past heart attack and help us learn whether you’re experiencing:

Heart valve disease: This occurs when one or more of your heart valves don’t open or close correctly.
Ischemic heart disease (Coronary heart disease): This means that your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and blood.
Heart failure: This occurs when your heart muscles don't pump blood well.
Coronary artery disease: This is when your heart problems are caused by narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Blockages: This can occur in one or many chambers of the heart and can lead to a heart attack.

These are just some of the things that can be diagnosed during stress testing at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA.

Treatment recommendations following abnormal results

After testing, Dr. Ishaaya makes recommendations for you based on your results. If you received abnormal results, it could mean that your heart’s blood flow is insufficient. Some possible suggestions for treatment include:

Diet or nutrition counseling
Medication
Smoking cessation
Weight loss
Exercise

As a team, we can create a game plan that will work best for your health. Ultimately, stress tests can detect problems before anything serious happens.

Learn how an EKG stress test can save your life

When you want to know if your heart is working its best, Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA offers different stress tests. This testing helps us treat illnesses, such as heart disease or pre-diabetes, in the early stages before they become life-threatening. Preventative medicine and lifestyle changes help you to maintain the same quality of life after your diagnosis. Schedule an appointment with board-certified physician Dr. Avi Ishaaya today to learn more about what stress testing can do for your health.