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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Sestamibi stress test showed defect but no blockage
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Sestamibi stress test showed defect but no blockage
by KenB, Oct 13, 2004 12:00AM
I recently had a sestamibi stress test and it showed that there was some scarring on my heart but no ischemia. I don't understand how this can be, if my heart suffered some damage but it isn't blocked how did the damage occur in the first place ? I am an otherwise healthy 41 year old male who regularly exercises and am not overweight and do not smoke or take drugs. I went to the hospital several weeks ago because of bad heartburn and what seemed like a panic attack. The EKG at the hospital showed no current heart attack occuring and told me to follow up with family doctor. He was the one who ordered the stress test and said both tests showed some old damage. I am concerned because if something was read wrong and I do have blockage I could be in grave danger unless the damage is very old and from some other trauma like fever or accident.
Thanks
Ken
Thanks
Ken
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Oct 13, 2004 12:00AM
Hi Ken,
Sorry to hear about the stress test results, but I wouldn't worry too much quite yet.
It is true that you can have scarring from old heart attacks as well a long list of other problems: hereditary cardiomyopathy, sarcoidosis, rheumatic disease.....etc.
It is important to know how big the scar is and what territories (i.e. what major arteries supply the area with scar). If the scar is consistent with a typical vascular distribution of a heart attack, it may be real and you may have had a silent heart attack. If it is not consistent with an appropriate vascular distribution, it may be a false positive study.
At this point you need to see a cardiologist. Not only to determine if the interpretation is correct but because if you have heart disease, you will need specialized care (statins, beta blockers, aspirin).
The key is seeing the old study or repeating a new one – and I would let a cardiologist do the reviewing rather than a general practitioner.
I hope this helps….
Sorry to hear about the stress test results, but I wouldn't worry too much quite yet.
It is true that you can have scarring from old heart attacks as well a long list of other problems: hereditary cardiomyopathy, sarcoidosis, rheumatic disease.....etc.
It is important to know how big the scar is and what territories (i.e. what major arteries supply the area with scar). If the scar is consistent with a typical vascular distribution of a heart attack, it may be real and you may have had a silent heart attack. If it is not consistent with an appropriate vascular distribution, it may be a false positive study.
At this point you need to see a cardiologist. Not only to determine if the interpretation is correct but because if you have heart disease, you will need specialized care (statins, beta blockers, aspirin).
The key is seeing the old study or repeating a new one – and I would let a cardiologist do the reviewing rather than a general practitioner.
I hope this helps….
