I want eveybodies help!

How many people negative and positive have had a negative nuclear stress test and found out later they had serious blockage...i need to know because im still having chest pain and i cant take it anymore its driving me crazy!!I dont want a cath but i want to feel like myself what is going on wouldnt a doppler echo 24 hour holter and nuclear myoview stress test tell the story ....i know my post are getting redundant but im falling back into certain phobia ..i just want some elses opinon on this !!Thanks!

[cblmn7]

i had a negative nuc stress test and had chest pain while doing it i then went and had a angiogram which i had 2 more blocked artieries which got stents. there are other tests they can do also like the 64 slice ct scan your cardioligst should discuss other tests for you, good luck and keep on it.

[marcmega]

Thanks just when you think you done it all there still more to do!!

[April2]

My mom never showed anything on the stress tests. It's because she had even blockages on both sides. A bit unusual but not unheard of. I'd ask for more testing. Maybe an angiogram?

[ed34]

you could have an angiogram or a ct scan.
My nuclear perfusion scan showed my heart was very fit, but when they looked at my
angiogram they thought it had come from a different patient.  I had loads of angina.

[rockcityaudiouk]

Hi marcmega,ok I totally know how you feel.(I mean that)I had a mildly positive myocardial profusion scan that showed mild ischemia.They then gave me a CT  anigo scan and said that my arteries were clear!.Fine?however I'm still having problems.
The advice I got from top eggheads at UCH London UK was confusing!some doctors belive in the CT,others still believe in the the cath test. However remember that the cath test does carry some risk of bleeding and or complications or even death.(not trying to freak you out)but you should know the facts here.So maybe play safe,go for a CT(64 slice)if that's clear then I've heard if they are negative then its more or less clear.Also watch your diet,
I'm now trying the Ornish diet and I think I feel better on it.either that or eat Japanese food without the soy sauce or pickles!.on the CT front they are coming out with new CT scanners that put out very little radiation compared to the ones now.its called the Aquillion one or something like that, research the clinics where they have them and go for it .Make sure you get a good Doctor that can read them well and that's well into the latest technology,my doctor was an idiot.(he took ages to find my results!)also you may get a swelling in your arm like a tennis ball after they inject you,this is harmless, don't panic like I did!(I screamed the place down!) but its not dangerous,it just happens to some folk and goes way within hours.

[erijon]

marc,

You really can't ask a question like this. The vast majority of people that have had a normal nuclear stress test don't hang out on a site like this, they move on so you won't hear from them. You will always read more about people that had a normal nuclear stress test and had a heart attack the next day, by nature those people are looking at sites like this. I understand your frustration, I've been there and I know how difficult it is to let it go but dwelling on it will ruin your life.If you want the facts, look up sensitivity and specificity of a nuclear stress test on the internet, you'll see the real numbers.

As always, if you have chest pain or other heart related symptoms get it checked out. I'm afraid you won't find the answer you're looking for with a question like this. People without issues just don't post and there are thousands and thousands of normal tests every day. The only way you may get  the reassurance you're looking for is with a cath and most cardiologists won't do one with a normal stress test in addition to all the other normal tests you've already had done, they just won't take the risk. I would talk to your doctor about your anxiety over this as it can be manifested in all the symptoms you are experiencing.

I wish you the best,

Jon

[David T.]

The ONLY way to know for sure is to have an angiogram.

[kenkeith]

The latest technology for heart patients is the ct scan 360 slice. It can measure subtle changes in blood flow or minute blockages forming in blood vessels no bigger than the average width of a toothpick (1.5 millimeters) in the heart and brain.  

It is 4 dimensional (4th dimension is ability to view blood flow and provides images as good as a surgeon when operating).  It may be as good as a cath angiogram that has been described as the gold standard test by Jon and others.  The down side may be radiation exposure, but because there are split second images there is less exposure, one doesn't need to hold their breath very long, and a less than  60 heartbeat isn't required.  The single  image the size of the heart and other organs are captured, and collateral vessels can be viewed.

I am going to ask for the test to get a good analysis of my heart function and valve structures.  Results can be sent to Mayo Clinic thereby requiring only one trip, not two which has been the procedure...one for a test and then the procedure is not necessary with the CT scan.

It is true the only way is an angiogram as David states... angiogram's meaning is a procedure with dye injected into the blood system and result can be viewed with a cath,  CT scan, etc. so an inference of only an interventional cath is not correct.

[marcmega]

You guys mean to tell me that 4 ekgs 1 (24holter) a doppler echo and a nuclear stress would miss heart damage..i cant believe that how can that be ..my carido spec released me from his care completely based on my test...since my results i have been getting this chest tightness when i move around ...or walk but when im sitting down im good!Some forums say its anxiety ..you guys think i may still have  blockage somewhere...but truthfully when i take lorazapam 1mg i feel better ..i dont know if it takes my mind off of stuff or what but it feel embarashed calling my cardio doc so im just loosing it ....!!

[ed34]

A Stress test can only pick up electrical signals across the Heart and those don't necessarily change when you experience discomfort. When I had a stress test my chest felt tight, my throat was tight and I was short of breath but the operator simply said "hmm nothing showing up here, keep going".
A nuclear test shows which areas of the heart are receiving Oxygen and highlights any areas of dead tissue. However, it doesn't really show if the Heart is receiving ENOUGH oxygen. This test and the stress test has its values but they don't pick up ALL problems. So, this now leads us to the echo test. This test enables the operator to measure accurately all the dimensions of the heart. The wall thicknesses and volumes of the chambers can all be measured. The valves can be seen working and it can be seen if they are leaking. However, this is not any good at seeing blocked arteries.
EKG/ECG to me are often a waste of time. You are at rest when you have one of these and unless there is something more drastically wrong, it will show nothing. Most people with a  blockage of 70%-90% show nothing on an ECG. But it does have its purpose.
If all those tests show no problems, it still means there can be a problem with the heart.
I find it hard to believe that so many Cardiologists are so relaxed when discomforts are
felt. An angiogram is obviously then required to rule out a clot.

[Ruthiebear]

I fail the Nuclear Stress Tests!  For me I'm a different bird so to say.
I had a stint put in and because I cont. having chest pains my doctor decided to do
one of those  nuclear tests.  
So in the same year I had two Ango's and with the second one they couldn't find what they thought I had?????? They thought my stint fail?  You hear that they don't fail but that is what they thought.  It turn out it was fine????
This is me! EVERYONE is different.
Today my doctor is making me wear a heart monitor for 21 days/
Although all they told me my heart is fine? They also tell me that they didn't see any more blockages?  
I have trouble with blood pressure pills, reactions, etc.  One kept my blood pressure too low. etc.