What type of test is commonly used to evaluate stable angina?

Stable angina is typically evaluated using a stress test because it assesses how the heart functions under physical stress. During a stress test, patients are usually asked to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, which increases their heart rate. This allows healthcare providers to observe how well the heart performs under stress and whether angina occurs during exercise. The test can reveal issues with blood flow to the heart muscle, indicating the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

While an electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart and can show changes that occur during episodes of angina, it does not fully simulate the heart's response to physical activity and might not provoke symptoms in stable angina patients. An echocardiogram provides valuable information about heart structure and function at rest but may not identify exercise-induced ischemia. A Holter monitor, which offers continuous ECG monitoring over 24 to 48 hours, is useful for capturing occasional arrhythmias or symptoms but is not the primary diagnostic tool for evaluating the coronary artery disease that causes stable angina.

Thus, the stress test is the most appropriate choice for assessing stable angina, given its focus on the heart's response to stress and its ability to elicit symptoms associated with this condition.