Accuracy of interpretation of Thallium Stress Test

Posted By Barry Wheeler on August 30, 1998 at 21:03:48:







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?