As with most types of medical equipment and testing devices, there are differences in the features and functions offered on the equipment. These differences may appear to be very small to the patient, but for the medical professionals the correct choice in stress test machine options can make early detection of heart disease or all patients much easier and more effective.
Accuracy Factors
Researchers and cardiologist know that there are differences in the accuracy of testing based on several factors. For example, there is a vast difference in the accuracy of testing using a treadmill system between men and women. Women being tested on a treadmill stress test machine have a much higher risk of a false positive, which studies show can impact as many as thirty percent of all females.
This doesn’t mean that the testing equipment is not effective, rather it is a result of the difference in cardiovascular response between males and females. However, it does mean that the cardiologist has to be aware of this high false positive result and follow up with additional, alternative testing to verify the results or demonstrate the false positive.
Top systems are now designed to address these factors through individual patient data entry. Additionally, the best systems allow for a full range of reporting with multiple possible configurations to provide the most relevant data to the doctor and technician.
Ease of Patient Use
Another factor to consider with many patients is their current lack of physical ability to use the equipment. In a study completed in 2007 by the Medical College of Georgia, it was found that approximately one-third of all patients requiring testing using a stress test machine could not exercise on the treadmill for five minutes to increase their heart rate to the required 85% of maximum as calculated based on the patient’s age.
When the equipment is designed to be patient-friendly and easy to use, it is more effective for patients that are struggling with activity levels. However, in addition to the readings provided by the equipment, the researchers indicated that the observation of the patient’s status during and after the test is an equally important indicator. When normal range readings occur but the patient is struggling with breathing and perhaps chest pains, adding additional testing with pharmacological stress agents was recommended.
Digital control over the treadmill, simple touch screen controls for technicians and doctors and the ability to select the correct testing protocol based on the patient will all be critical factors to consider in the choice of stress testing equipment.