Q. Stress Testing after Myocardial Infraction?

Many post infarction deaths are sudden and occur with in the first 6 months after infarction. Exercise testing from 10 days to weeks after an MI is an efficient and established way to detect those at high risk. Although the risks of doing exercise testing have probably been underreported, at this point it seems reasonably safe. The post MI stress test, then, emerged to provide us with a means of selecting patients at high risk among those who are asymptomatic and have uncomplicated convalescence, permitting the implementation of aggressive management that might reduce mortality and morbidity. Stratification of patients soon after an MI with exercise stress testing offers several other benefits. Exercise testing defines the patients functional cardiac capacity by which activity level and rehabilitation can be rationally prescribed. It provides a safe basis to advised patients regarding return to normal activities and work. The major determinant of risk is probably patient selection.