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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Which test is better and another question. . .
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
Which test is better and another question. . .
by mickeysgirl61, Dec 11, 2006 12:00AM
Thank you again for considering my question. I posted awhile back about my cardiac spasm. We just recently moved and I went to a new cardio. doctor. He wants me to have the 64 slice CT scan. . .this is the way he put it to me-Wanna see your heart? I can show you what your heart is doing right now. We have the new 64 slice ct scan and it's cool-so do you wanna have the test?". That sent a red flag up because it sounded like a kid with a new toy-but also put a question in my mind-I have had a cath. but this doctor says this test is WAY above the cath and so much better. I don't like having tests just because it's cool-from my understanding they inject the same dye as the cath and I had a terrible reaction to that stuff-my diabetes doctor also said that the dye can damage kidneys in a diabetic (which I am). . .can I have your thoughts on all of this ??
My new internal medicine doctor also says that Coreg is not doing me any good and wants to change me to another beta blocker-the doctor that did the cath. said if I don't take Coreg, and I quote-you'll have another heart attack in less than a month". I'm beginning to feel like a ping pong ball-don't know who to believe-each doctor has their ideas-wished they would get together and talk this all over then get back to me !! How am I suppose to figure out which opinion is right?
Also, I love Earl Grey tea but was told that the bergamot is not good for people medications (I take Coreg (ick), Norvasc, and Starlix). .may I have your input on this also ?? Thank you all so much for listening and being here for us. . .
My new internal medicine doctor also says that Coreg is not doing me any good and wants to change me to another beta blocker-the doctor that did the cath. said if I don't take Coreg, and I quote-you'll have another heart attack in less than a month". I'm beginning to feel like a ping pong ball-don't know who to believe-each doctor has their ideas-wished they would get together and talk this all over then get back to me !! How am I suppose to figure out which opinion is right?
Also, I love Earl Grey tea but was told that the bergamot is not good for people medications (I take Coreg (ick), Norvasc, and Starlix). .may I have your input on this also ?? Thank you all so much for listening and being here for us. . .
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Dec 11, 2006 12:00AM
Hello,
Thanks for the post.
In the right circumstances, 64 slice CT scans are useful. There has to be a defined question that you are trying to answer and the test has to be well suited to answer that question. If you have already had a cardiac cath, I do not know of any incremental value from obtaining a CT scan. The CT scan will not help clarify or treat coronary spasm. I would save your kidneys the dye load unless they can tell you a very good reason for doing it.
How am I suppose to figure out which opinion is right?
It is true that beta blockers, like Coreg, decrease your risk of future cardiovascular events if you have a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure. In a head to head comparison between Coreg and Toprol XL, Coreg had statistically fewer associated cardiovascular events. It is a good medication if you do not have too many side effects and side effects are rare.
Regarding the bergamot -- this is not something that I am very familiar with. I did a quick google search and found that there were no listed drug interactions. There was a case report of someone that muscle cramps with about 4 liters per day consumption of Earl Grey tea, so try not to drink that much.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
Thanks for the post.
In the right circumstances, 64 slice CT scans are useful. There has to be a defined question that you are trying to answer and the test has to be well suited to answer that question. If you have already had a cardiac cath, I do not know of any incremental value from obtaining a CT scan. The CT scan will not help clarify or treat coronary spasm. I would save your kidneys the dye load unless they can tell you a very good reason for doing it.
How am I suppose to figure out which opinion is right?
It is true that beta blockers, like Coreg, decrease your risk of future cardiovascular events if you have a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure. In a head to head comparison between Coreg and Toprol XL, Coreg had statistically fewer associated cardiovascular events. It is a good medication if you do not have too many side effects and side effects are rare.
Regarding the bergamot -- this is not something that I am very familiar with. I did a quick google search and found that there were no listed drug interactions. There was a case report of someone that muscle cramps with about 4 liters per day consumption of Earl Grey tea, so try not to drink that much.
I hope this answers your questions. Good luck and thanks for posting.
wmac
It's funny that my cardiologist used to have only a doppler. He did the sonograms several times and I thought they were good. Non-invasive, give you a good EF, can see the heart wall motion, LV Size.
Then he moved to a group that had a Thallium scanner. After that the Sonogram was no good, I needed a stress-Thallium. I took 1 of those. Got a bill for $700 after insurance. The following year I told him that I though the Sonogram was as good as anything and I already had a baseline for it.
The next year he said that I was about due for a cath. I said, "What's the point? - I feel good and won't take any action based on it - why take the risk and expense?".
Last year he said he would like to get a really nice picture of my heart with the 64 slice Cat. I ask him how much it cost and if insurance would cover it. He said he would get back to me on that, but never did.
Basically these guys try to keep the most expensive machines in their offices fully scheduled with customers. Most of them have an interest in that machine sitting out in the parking lot.
I don't blame them for trying to make money. I just don't want to be a victim of a high dose of radiation, so they can make their payments on their latest wiz-bang or have my femoral artery punctured so they can make $10 grand before lunch.
Health care buyer beware!
I guess sometimes we just have to go with what we as patients feel is right. The doctor back home did echos, 30 day monitors almost every other month, stress tests. . .they all came back normal. I really don't know what he was looking for. . .I'm still paying off all these tests and am wondering what they were all about. I finally told the doctor back home that if he wanted to do the same tests over and they again showed nothing, then he would be paying for the tests. I felt like they were doing these over and over for the insurance money. . .wasn't having any problems at the time of the tests.
Well. . .life goes on and I am confused !! Thanks to all for your input !!
So sorry about the heart