A 20-minute test could spot deadly hidden heart problems.
The new test – which involves inserting a tiny wire into the heart – could pick up thousands of cases of undiagnosed angina.
Millions of Brits suffer with angina – a form of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Most live pain-free thanks to effective daily drugs.
But conventional tests often miss the problem.
The wire test could help many more get the treatment they need.
British Heart Foundation scientists have called for it to be widely used on the NHS.
They carried out the test on 151 patients who had chest pain but no signs of angina on normal tests.
A flexible wire is pushed into the heart to measure how well blood vessels relax.
Scientists found the new test was able to correctly diagnose six times as many angina patients as standard tests.
Lead researcher Professor Colin Berry from The University of Glasgow said: “Leaving these heart conditions undiagnosed and untreated presents a risk to the patient. We now hope to see this test rolled out across the country.”
The British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, said the test could help many angina sufferers who show up clear on current tests.
Senior cardiac nurse Philippa Hobson said: “These people often suffer crippling and frightening episodes of chest pain that dramatically affect their day to day life.”
The findings were presented at a conference in San Diego.
