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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Accuracy of interpretation of Thallium Stress Test
Answered by
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 Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Accuracy of interpretation of Thallium Stress Test
by Bary-Wheler, Aug 30, 1998 12:00AM
Male Age 54, good fitness, some angina when exercising reasonably hard. ST depression begins between 12 and 15 minutes of exercise stress test and stops almost immediately after exercise stops. On these results a thallium stress test was used which showed some blockage in 2 arteries. Angioplasty has be recommended. But there seems to be a difference in the two tests and the cardiologist only read the verbal results of the thallium test and didn't see the images.
Question: how reliable are the interpretations of the thallium stress test? Is there a tendency of cardiologists to view the results as indicating angioplasty when diet/medicines/vitamins/exercise/stress reduction present at least as valid a treatment plan?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Aug 30, 1998 12:00AM
, Aug 30, 1998 12:00AMDear Barry,
Q: how reliable are the interpretations of the thallium stress test?
A: The sensitivity (ability of the test to detect disease) is about 85% and the specificity (the ability of the test to detect normals) is 85-90%. Thus there is the possibility of a "false positive" that is the test says there is disease when there in fact is no disease or a "false negative" where the test says there is no disease and there is disease present.
Q: Is there a tendency of cardiologists to view the results as indicating angioplasty when diet/medicines/vitamins/exercise/stress reduction present at least as valid a treatment plan?
A: This is an excellent question and one that you would get many different opinions on depending on who you ask. I would not rush into any procedure you do not feel comfortable with. If you are unhappy with the answers your current cardiologist is giving you, you may consider seeking a second opinion. Hope this helps. Please feel free to write back with any additional questions.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist.
