A COMPARISON OF STRESS TEST REFERRAL RATES AND OUTCOME BETWEEN ASIANSAND EUROPEANS

The Asian population is at greater risk from a myocardial infarction t han their European counterparts. Fewer Asians are referred for coronar y angiography. We studied referral rates for exercise stress testing f ollowing acute myocardial infarction in Asians and Europeans and also examined stress test outcome. A retrospective analysis was performed u sing hospital activity analysis data, ward admission book and stress t est referral forms and reports. There were 962 acute myocardial infarc tions with 90% being European. Fewer Asian patients were referred for stress testing (32.3% versus 45%, P < 0.001). Asian patients were more likely to have a positive test (42.9% versus 31.3%, P < 0.02). Fewer Asian patients completed the test (14.3% versus 31.3%, P < 0.001). Pos sible reasons for the decreased referral rates include communication d ifficulties and real or perceived poor exercise tolerance. More Asian patients should be referred for stress testing. Interpreters and infor mation leaflets in multiple languages may help achieve this aim.