Stress Test May Not Be Necessary for All Heart Related Issues

CLEVELAND CLINIC-- The American College of Physicians is advising against stress tests for people who are at low-risk for developing coronary heart disease.

Stress Test May Not Be Necessary for All Heart Related Issues

Stress tests are commonly given to people complaining of unexplained chest pain or other symptoms, but Cleveland Clinic cardiologist doctor Curtis Rimmerman agreed with ACP researchers who say if the patient does not have additional risk factors; a stress test may not be necessary. "The stress test has to be applied within the context of the patient and looking at the entire patient: Their risk factor profile, their symptoms, their age, their activity level," he explained.

Rather than screen low-risk adults for coronary heart disease, the ACP recommends physicians focus on strategies for improving heart health. They prefer addressing modifiable risk factors like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight. A person may be considered low-risk if they're young, physically active, and eat a healthy diet.

Although coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the united states; ACP researchers say there is no evidence stress tests for low-risk people provide benefit. In fact, the tests can result in false-positive results and increased costs.

Dr. Rimmerman agreed, "I think this is a very, very good thing that the American College of Physicians has done. They're not only reeducating health care professionals, but also trying to educate the public. That there is a time and a place for necessary testing, there's a time and a place for unnecessary testing, and again, this is not a fiscal, or a financial issue, it's really a best-practice issue and what's in the best interest of the patient."

The complete statement from the American College of Physicians can be found online in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

READ MORE : Stress Test May Not Be Necessary for All Heart Related Issues