Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Angioplasty Follow-Up
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.
Angioplasty Follow-Up
by Cody, Aug 16, 1999 12:00AM
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
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
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Aug 16, 1999 12:00AM
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.
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.
