Can Treadmill Tests Predict Heart Attacks?

QUESTION: I've been advised to take this test to try to take a look into the
future. What do you think? Can treadmill tests predict heart attacks?
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ANSWER: Treadmill exercise tests are most frequently used to evaluate
cardiovascular fitness and to diagnose levels of coronary artery disease and
myocardial infarction. In general, however, the test scores have been
designed to provide diagnostic, not prognostic, information.
Recently, however, a new treadmill test was designed that can offer some
predictive information. Based on the outcome of the scores, doctors have
discovered that patients of the same age, sex, and amount of angina can have
very different prognoses. The reverse is true as well. Patients with totally
different clinical backgrounds may be at identical risk. As a result of these
findings, physicians now have a whole new way of evaluating a patient's risk
status.
Cardiac catheterization and left ventricular testing still offer the most
significant prognostic information in coronary disease and it is still
debatable as to whether treadmill tests can ultimately take the place of
invasive testing. However, with the improved techniques, treadmill tests can
determine who is at high risk and they are certainly valuable aids for
deciding on a patient's management.