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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Possible To Have A Normal ECG And Abnormal Stress Test?

Hi Dr,

My father follows a healthy lifestyle and he is 60. Few days ago he had a slight chest pain and had a very light sweat...so immediately he got chest pain medication from his brother and had 1 tablet and he was okay after that . He went to the doctor the very next day and took ECG and the result was normal. Still the doctor recommended isordil and also a stress-ECG(treadmill test). The test showed some abnormalities. IS it possible to have a normal ECG and an abnormal Stress test ?
Tue, 18 Apr 2017
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Emergency Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi!
Yes, it is possible that a normal ECG is followed by an abnormal stress test. The ECG done when the person is at rest, does not always show the problem of coronary heart disease. This is because while resting, the heart gets the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs to work. That is why, when there has been a typical chest pain and the ECG at rest was normal, the doctor recommends a stress test-ECG. During this stress, the heart job increases and the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs are doubled. In a healthy person, the heart work and the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs are in balance, while in coronary heart disease they are disbalanced (stress test shows abnormalities).
I tried to explain why it can happen to have a normal ECG and an abnormal stress test-ECG. I hope to have been clear enough for you.
I wish your father gets better soon! Thanks for sharing your concern with us!
All the best,
Dr. P.Cerri
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Is It Possible To Have A Normal ECG And Abnormal Stress Test?

Hi! Yes, it is possible that a normal ECG is followed by an abnormal stress test. The ECG done when the person is at rest, does not always show the problem of coronary heart disease. This is because while resting, the heart gets the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs to work. That is why, when there has been a typical chest pain and the ECG at rest was normal, the doctor recommends a stress test-ECG. During this stress, the heart job increases and the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs are doubled. In a healthy person, the heart work and the amount of blood and oxygen that it needs are in balance, while in coronary heart disease they are disbalanced (stress test shows abnormalities). I tried to explain why it can happen to have a normal ECG and an abnormal stress test-ECG. I hope to have been clear enough for you. I wish your father gets better soon! Thanks for sharing your concern with us! All the best, Dr. P.Cerri