Until now, generalists have referred most patients to a cardiologist or pulmonologist for all but the most basic testing and the slightest indications. This has been understandable because
the most acceptable screening tests for heart and pulmonary
disease have been complex, expensive, and have provided
results that have often been very difficult to interpret. However,
thanks to recent improvements in stress and pulmonary testing, with
the addition of gas exchange, a physician may now
safely investigate most patients
with chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, or significant risk
factors in his own office or clinic with assurance of
diagnostic accuracy, improved productivity, patient
retention, and meaningful compensation.
a comprehensive
diagnostic assessment of cardiac and pulmonary disease and
functional capacity
a most authoritative
prediction of morbidity and mortality
an individualized
prescriptive outline for proactive patient management
