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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Efficacy of Cardiac Tests
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.
Efficacy of Cardiac Tests
by JBT, Nov 23, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 28 yr male, slighty overweight, somewhat seditary -- but with no family history of heart disease. Over the last several months, I have experienced atypical chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and tachycardia. My Internist recommended I see a cardiologist to rule out problems.
The cardiologist performed a stress test, a echo, and then a stress echo. All the tests came out "normal" with the exception of t-wave inversion that the cardiologist said was "non-specific".
Question(s): Should I have any other tests done to comfort myself that this is nothing serious? What is the accuracy of these tests? Can I say with almost certainty that this means there is nothing wrong with my heart? I am definitely anxious about the situation. Thanks for your input.
The cardiologist performed a stress test, a echo, and then a stress echo. All the tests came out "normal" with the exception of t-wave inversion that the cardiologist said was "non-specific".
Question(s): Should I have any other tests done to comfort myself that this is nothing serious? What is the accuracy of these tests? Can I say with almost certainty that this means there is nothing wrong with my heart? I am definitely anxious about the situation. Thanks for your input.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Nov 23, 1999 12:00AM
A normal stress echo in someone with a very low likelihood of coronary artery disease makes it very unlikely that you have significant coronary artery disease. THese tests are quite accurate. I think you have already had your fair share of testing for coronary artery disease; stress testing of a 28 year old is probably already overkill just for reassurance.
