Stress Testing in the Elderly

Abstract

The ever-increasing number of older patients requiring diagnostic and prognostic assessment for coronary artery disease has necessitated accurate, noninvasive techniques applicable to this age group. Exercise testing, either alone or with radionuclide or echocardiographic imaging, remains a useful tool in elderly patients capable of performing vigorous treadmill or cycle exercise. Fortunately, for the large elderly subset incapable of such exercise, pharmacologic stress testing with dipyridamole, adenosine, or dobutamine offers an excellent alternative. Choosing the most appropriate stress testing modality for a given patient from among the many choices available remains the clinician's challenge.

Exercise Standards for Testing and Training

“…211,294 In 419 CAD patients >65 years of age, one study revealed that severe ST-segment depression induced by cycle ergometry predicted triple-vessel disease. 295 Ischemic ST-segment depression predicted an increased risk of cardiac death in another study of older patients with stable CAD.…”

Ciências da saúde: bem-estar e qualidade de vida 2

“…Estudos indicam que doenças como hipertensão arterial, insuficiência cardíaca e arritmias são altamente prevalentes em idosos e têm um impacto substancial na homeostase, especialmente na regulação da pressão arterial e na composição do fluido corporal (Fleg et al, 2005).…”

“…A prevalência de distúrbios cardiovasculares como hipertensão e insuficiência cardíaca em idosos tem implicações significativas na homeostase, especialmente na regulação da pressão arterial e equilíbrio hidroeletrolítico (Fleg et al, 2005).…”

Noninvasive Cardiac Testing in the Geriatric Patient

“…Exercise Treadmill Testing in the Elderly. Although exercise treadmill testing in elderly patients may pose special challenges due to decreased exercise tolerance, higher incidence of comorbidities, and mobility issues, treadmill testing retains a good safety profile in the elderly population 10,11 . Generally, lower workloads are achieved at the time of testing in elderly patients, and there is an increased incidence of comorbidities that may preclude exercise as a stressor.…”