Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Echo Stress Tests I was reading an answer to a post on this forum regarding whether or not echocardiograms can detect artery blockages. The answer was that echos cannot detect even the most serious of artery blockages. My first question is, why do cardiologists use stress echos to determine whether heart disease may be present if echos cannot detect blocked arteries? I'm confused. My second question is, wouldn't the stress thallium the best non-invasive test there is to detect artery blockages rather than a stress echo considering that an echo cannot detect blockages? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Lourdes An echocardiogram obtained at rest can detect prior large heart attacks. It cannot detect coronary artery blockages. An exercise echocardiogram or an exercise thallium can detect significant coronary artery blockages reasonably well. Both tests are similar in their sensitivity for picking up coronary artery disease. Either test can sometimes miss a serious blockage. I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck. Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
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