Is There A Better Type Of Stress Test For Patients Who Have Heart Rhythm Problems?

— -- Question: Is there a better type of stress test for patients who have heart rhythm problems?

Answer :When a doctor orders the stress test, if you've had a heart rhythm problem, we're primarily looking to see whether or not there's any changes that occur on the EKG. So all the stress tests that are done are done with an electrocardiogram.

I would prefer to have a walking stress test as opposed to some what are called pharmacologic test, where actually medications are given to try to increase blood flow to the heart. Those I don't think are as diagnostic as actually walking to be able to provoke an increase in exercise and to see whether or not any of these irregular heart beats can be provoked with exercise. So I think that that's probably the best way of trying to bring one of these rhythm problems out.