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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Cardiolite stress test
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Cardiolite stress test
by John, Jan 16, 2000 12:00AM
I am a 36 year old male in relatively good health, who has never smoked or done drugs. Starting 6 years ago, I have had 3 episodes of atrial fibrillation which lasted 2 or 3 days. The direct cause is yet undetermined but it appears to be related to exertion (the first time it happened, I had been mixing concrete- 60 bags, 2 at a time- in a wheelbarrow with a hoe). I have been in a cardiologist's care for the past 5 years and have been taking quinidine (524mg, 2x daily) since the last episode 3 years ago.
My question is about the cardiolite stress test. I recently mentioned to my cardiologist that I had experienced some pleuritic pain a few weeks before, after having had a bit of a head cold. He then said he wanted to do a cardiolite stress test to determine what the chest pains were about. In looking at the paperwork about the test, it doesn't seem to have much to do with my problem, which seems to be wholly electrical. My blood flow has always been good. When I first started seeing this cardiologist, he put me on a treadmill and got my heart rate up to about 180 bpm and I had no problems. I am a carpenter and frequently exert myself without any chest pains.
I've tried to ask the cardiologist about the test, but he is always too busy, and just left a note with the receptionist that the test is necessary.
I'm no cardiologist but I'm not sure I need this test, which I have to pay for. I'm also not sure how declining will affect my relationship with my doctor. Is there something about what they learn from this test that I am not seeing?
My question is about the cardiolite stress test. I recently mentioned to my cardiologist that I had experienced some pleuritic pain a few weeks before, after having had a bit of a head cold. He then said he wanted to do a cardiolite stress test to determine what the chest pains were about. In looking at the paperwork about the test, it doesn't seem to have much to do with my problem, which seems to be wholly electrical. My blood flow has always been good. When I first started seeing this cardiologist, he put me on a treadmill and got my heart rate up to about 180 bpm and I had no problems. I am a carpenter and frequently exert myself without any chest pains.
I've tried to ask the cardiologist about the test, but he is always too busy, and just left a note with the receptionist that the test is necessary.
I'm no cardiologist but I'm not sure I need this test, which I have to pay for. I'm also not sure how declining will affect my relationship with my doctor. Is there something about what they learn from this test that I am not seeing?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Jan 17, 2000 12:00AM
This is a basic test to predict the liklihood of having serious cardiac events in the future. In your case, your physician was just being cautious given your symptoms.
down to 32bpm was put in the hospital & told that the lower part of my heart was blocked & so a pacemaker was implanted on Feb.1st
On Feb 2nd I was given an adenesine test
because I had had some chest pains about 2 weeks before. They found 3 other blockages in another area & are treating them by doubling my blood pressure medication & using nitro patches for 12 hours a day. Also taking a diuretic.
Since I have been home I am fine as long as I am seated or lying down but when I get up & move around such as like brushing my teeth bathing etc.I get really short of breath &
pulse rate goes up to 96-98 & I become very weak. This has been going on since Feb. 3rd.
Have been back to hospital & had all the tests
including a heart cath.All tests came out positive except for the 3 blockages mentioned.
My question is what causes the weakness & short of breath? I will not be able to function in life if I stay like this.
Thank You for yur answer
Email address: ***@****
On December 10, she was in a cardiologists office. Her AKG showed an abnormal ST-T pattern, suggested ischemia, and a right bundle branch block. A Coronary arteriogram showed no blockage of the coronary arteries.
She was in the hospital again on December 15 with the same problem
(pressure on her chest like an elephant was sitting on it, and gasping for air). A lung scan was done and it was normal.
A stress treadmill was done and showed "diffuse nonspecific ST-T wave abnormalities." Right bundle branch blockage.
She has had one more event which required emengency room treatment.
A Cardiolite scan was done recently which again stated"the patient had a right bundle branch block" The left ventricle was normal in size, shape and contractility. The resting left ejection was normal at 61% with good contractility including the apex. The segments of the myocardium were well perfused at both rest and exercise with no evidence of ischemia or infarction.
She is currrently on Cardizem 180 (one a day) and Ativan as she feels she needs it.
There has been a lot of different diagnoses. Spasm, Syndrome X,
coronary disease, etc. Any clue as to where to go or what to do in order to get a difinitive diagnosis?
Is there anyone out there that has experienced the same problem?
Any comments would be appreciated.
She has had a mild to moderate infarct.
The lower left portion of the heart was affected.
She has had a 3D Doppler Echiocardiogram and most recently, a
cardiolite scan.
Both tests state that the left ventricular function has returned to normal.
She still has episodes where she has sharp pains in her upper left portion of her chest, radiating from the midline to her left shoulder (apparently atypical for angina) and difficulty in breathing.
It has been suggested that she have a pulmonary function test in order to rule out (or determine) if she has a lung disorder. She has had a lung scan, and it was also normal.
Is a pulmonary function test in order here? We do not wish to have uny "un-necessary" tests done, but would like to resolve her problem.
Thank you for your opinion on the above.
My primary care doctor ordered a stress test as part of a complete checkup. The stress test showed "some abnormalities". I then went referred to a cardiologist. I had an electrocardiogram done at the doctor's office and the day an echo (regular echo, NO exercise echo).
The cardiologist said that the echo was normal and that the electrocardiogram showed I have a murmur. He did not explain what type of murmur that is.
He also mentioned that although I am "blessed with great genes" my HDL of 105 and my triglycerides or 60 do not mean that perhaps my arteries are blocked