If Stress Tests Are Not 100 Percent Accurate, Why Shouldn't My Doctor Just Order A Cardiac Catheterization?

Dr. David Faxon answers the question: 'Stress Test Vs. Cardiac Catheterization?'

ByDavid Faxon, M.D., Director of Strategic Planning for the Department of Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital; Chief of Cardiology, Boston VA Health Care System
November 19, 2008, 4:23 PM

— -- Question: If stress tests are not 100 percent accurate, why shouldn't my doctor just order A cardiac catheterization?

Answer: A stress test is a very safe test. Coronary angiogram has risk to it. And so the doctor always has to make the judgment about what the risk and benefits of the test are. And it is a safe and effective and cost-effective way to determine whether you have heart problem first. And if that shows that there is a problem, then moving to a coronary angiogram after that, if appropriate, is the strategy that I think that most people would recommend.

Next: What Happens When I Get An Abnormal Result On My Stress Test?

Previous: If I Have A Negative Stress Test Do I Still Need To Worry About Heart Disease?

Sponsored Content by Taboola