Final answer:
Baseline ECG abnormalities, including ST segment elevations or depressions, enlarged Q waves, and flat or inverted T waves, suggest significant cardiac issues that warrant further imaging alongside stress testing. These tests are essential, especially in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as they provide a more detailed assessment of heart health and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Baseline Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities that warrant additional imaging with stress testing might include, but are not limited to, elevations or depressions in the ST segment, which can be indicative of acute myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemia. An enlarged Q wave can suggest a prior MI, while flat or inverted T waves may point to myocardial ischemia. The presence of these findings on a baseline ECG suggests that further cardiac evaluation with imaging, such as an echocardiogram or cardiac MRI, is necessary to assess the health and function of the heart more completely.
Risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood cholesterol increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and might necessitate a more rigorous approach to diagnosis, including the use of imaging alongside stress testing to evaluate the heart's condition when subjected to physical stress. In this context, subtle changes in the ECG readings, as compared to previous tests, are vital for diagnosing gradual heart damage.