Abstract:
This study aimed at exploring the perception of angina and EKG changes in patients undergoing exercise stress test. The participants consisted of sixty patients aged 15 and older and underwent exercise stress test at the Central Chest Hospital between October, 2001 and March, 2002. The data were collected by questionnaire_ sectioned into Demographic Data, Health History, Symptom, Post – EST Symptom, and_ Hemodynamics Record Form sections. Descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, and content analysis were used to analyze data.
The participants consisted of female patients (50.0%) and male patients (50.0%) who were ranging in age from 43 to 76 years old. More than half of the patients (63.3%) who reached the total METS (Metabolic Equivalents) achieved more than 6 METS and completed with a time between 3.0- 6.9 minutes (65.0%). During exercise stress tests, patients experienced an EKG change in their ST segment depression between 1.0 and 1.5 mm. Most of patients described angina symptoms during the exercise stress tests, most commonly as excessive tiredness (76.6%) chest pain (25.0%) and shortness of breath (15.0%). Most patients (31.7%) perceived severity of angina during exercise stress test between 7 and 9, while 28.3% perceived it between 4 and 6. 46.7% of participants perceived the location of angina as over the whole anterior chest wall and 23.3% perceived angina in the left chest.
The results of this study will be useful for nurses to be aware of and concerned about angina symptoms that not only refer to chest pain but also refer to excessive tiredness, chest_tightness, and shortness of breath. The result should help precise early detection and encourage nurses to educate patients about the_symptoms of angina for monitoring themselves and arranging appropriate activities that they can do with their conditions.