Angioplasty Follow-Up

Dear CCHC,
Approximately one and 1/2 years ago I had angioplasty performed on my LAD because of a 95% blockage.  Since then I have had two thallium stress tests a year apart each with normal and similar results and approximately  4 regular stress tests also with normal results.  On occasion I have experienced some chest discomfort and informed my cardiologist who attributes the discomfort to either musular skeletal or possibly reflux because of a highly vegetarian diet, and also because of the normal thallium and regular stess test results.  My questions are:  Are annual thallium stress tests and annual regular stress tests sufficient to check on the progess of angioplasty patients and are there any other more definitive tests?  Is it normal(psychological) for angioplasty patients to worry about every little episode of chest discomfort?
Thanks - H

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear H,


It is typical to follow your results with stress tests and these are good tests to determine if hte blockages have returned.  It is typically for patients to worry about the recurrence of the blockage.  But it sounds like you are doing very well.  
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.