Cardiac Stress Testing in Ischemic Heart Disease: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiac stress testing is a widely employed, non-invasive diagnostic tool for evaluating myocardial perfusion and detecting coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of cardiac stress testing (treadmill exercise testing; TMT) in diagnosing IHD across diverse patient demographics, with specific attention to the role of age, sex, and lifestyle variables. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional observational study was conducted at GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, from January to May 2024. Data were collected from 116 patients referred for TMT. Patient demographics, risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and family history of CAD), presenting symptoms, and stress test outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: Positive stress test results were predominantly observed in patients aged 40–70 years. Male patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of positive outcomes compared to females. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and a family history of CAD were significantly associated with positive test results. Many diabetic patients exhibited stress-induced ischemia in the absence of chest pain, suggesting a high burden of asymptomatic IHD in this subgroup. Conclusion: TMT is a clinically valuable, cost-effective, and accessible tool for the risk stratification and early diagnosis of IHD, particularly in middle-aged and elderly patients presenting with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.