Role of Stress Electrocardiography in Ischemic Heart Disease and Non-Obstructive Coronary Disease

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Stress electrocardiography (ECG) or exercise treadmill testing is one of the most established, non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial ischemia. It provides valuable information regarding functional capacity, hemodynamic response, and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of ischemia. Despite the emergence of advanced imaging modalities, such as stress echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), stress ECG continues to serve as a first-line investigation, especially for patients with intermediate pre-test probability of coronary artery disease (CAD).