Stress

The concept of stress is often mistaken. Its correct usage stems from the meaning in physical medicine, and many facets of stress are missed because this is not generally realized. This paper defines a psychiatric model of stress and describes a method by which stress can be quantified in various individuals.     

Stress echocardiography

Stress echocardiography is the combination of 2D echocardiography with a physical, pharmacological or electrical stress. The diagnostic end point for the detection of myocardial ischemia is the induction of a transient worsening in regional function during stress. Stress echocardiography provides similar diagnostic and prognostic accuracy as radionuclide stress perfusion imaging but at a substantially lower cost, without environmental impact and with no biohazards for the patient and the physician. In spite of its dependence upon operator’s training, it is the best possible choice to achieve the still elusive target of sustainable cardiac imaging in the field of noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease.     

Stress echocardiography

Stress echocardiography is the combination of 2D echocardiography with a physical, pharmacological or electrical stress. The diagnostic end point for the detection of myocardial ischemia is the induction of a transient worsening in regional function during stress. Stress echocardiography provides similar diagnostic and prognostic accuracy as radionuclide stress perfusion imaging but at a substantially lower cost, without environmental impact and with no biohazards for the patient and the physician. In spite of its dependence upon operator's training, it is the best possible choice to achieve the still elusive target of sustainable cardiac imaging in the field of noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease.     

Stress syndromes

Some methodological problems in epidemiological research on stress syndromes are reviewed. It is pointed out that syndromes defined on the basis of physiological findings may be difficult to relate to psychosocial problems. This is exemplified by the early asymptomatic stages of hypertension. Men with this syndrome seem to report fewer life problems than other men. This could be due to systematic underreporting. It is shown that different illnesses may have different psychosocial correlates. Research has shown that early endocrinological response patterns during stress periods may be beneficial in the long-term perspective.