Question

A cardiologist who suspects that a patient has a heart issue might first order a stress

test. Then, depending on the results, they may need to do a more invasive procedure
that involves putting a camera inside the vessels of the heart to see if there is a
blockage. Do some research to find out what the medical term for this procedure is.
Then discuss whether you think it is a good practice to do the stress test first or if you
think the cardiologist should skip the stress test and go straight for the more invasive
procedure. Explain at least one reason behind your opinion.

Answer 1

The procedure to check for heart vessel blockages with a camera is a coronary angiogram, but it is good practice to perform a cardiac stress test first due to it being less invasive and able to provide important initial diagnostic information.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical term for the procedure that involves putting a camera inside the vessels of the heart to check for blockages is called a coronary angiogram. It is generally considered good practice to perform a non-invasive cardiac stress test first to assess the heart's function under stress, sometimes using thallium-201 as a tracer to visualize blood flow. If the stress test indicates possible issues, a more invasive coronary angiogram may be warranted. This tiered approach minimizes patient risk, as invasive procedures come with greater risks such as bleeding, infection, and complications related to the use of contrast materials or anesthesia. Additionally, stress tests can provide valuable information about physical fitness, the presence of arrhythmias, and overall cardiovascular function before determining if an angiogram is necessary.