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1709162 tn?1314084832

Myocardial perfusion scan

Hello I'm not sure whether I have posted this in the right place. I had an ecg a few years ago which was abnormal so I had a recording device on for 2 weeks and an echocardiogram which was fine. This was all done after I ended up in a&e with rapid heart rate etc etc. I do suffer from anxiety and this happened after I was given an antidepressant. Fast forward to nearly three months ago and ended up in a&e with chest pains racing heart again after taking a different antidepressant. Again my ecg was abnormal. This time they kept me in overnight and treated me as a heart attack which made me feel far worse. In the morning I saw the consultant who said I never had a heart attack and he suspected esophagul spasms. He did however say he was sending me for a 24hr holter test( which I had 6 weeks ago with no results) and a Myocardial Perfusion Scan. I have read about this and am now petrified I went to my GP who does not think I need it and says he has had patients who have been ill from it but it was up to me for my own piece of mind. Sorry for the long post just wanted to hear other people's experiences of this please Thank you
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976897 tn?1379167602
I just can't get my head around the 'fear'. What is the fear for? Is it the test? is it what they may find? I would rather know if I have something wrong with me so it can be treated. If you have for example a 80-90% blockage, wouldn't you want to know about it and have it fixed? I would be more scared of not being tested in case I died the next day from heart attack. From the age of 46 (54 now) I've had 2 nuclear scans and 10 angiograms, some including stents. I've also had a triple bypass. The only procedure I was afraid of was the bypass, the thought of my chest being opened up. A nuclear scan is totally non-invasive anyway. So how can such a test be a fear factor? it clears up many issues for the cardiologist or highlights them.
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Avatar universal
I had a regular stress test last week and cardiologist said I had minor changes on ekg while exercising.  He further stated that it could be normal for me, but he wanted to test further to see what is going on if anything.  Of course I am nervous and very anxious.  I  exercise each day 3 miles with walk and light run.  I asked doctor if I could continue and he said just walk for now.  I asked if I should take a low dose dose aspirin and he said ok.  He said the nuclear is not urgent but wants it done at some point given my age...69. Still have not heard from him about when the nuclear test is scheduled for, so I guess I will have to call office to remind them! In the meantime, I am a nervous Nelly!  BP is very good and I am on 5mg of lisinipril.  No pain at all. Sometimes when I lie down I starting worrying and I can feel my heart beat a little if  I lie on my left side.  Just hoping there is someone out there that can share their thoughts.  Thank you so much!
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1709162 tn?1314084832
Thank you for your comment. They told me I would be like it for about 6 minutes. They only do the stress injection with no treadmill at all.I got the gown on and freaked out and had to leave. I spoke to the doctor doing the test and he said there were other tests I could have done and that I was actually referred by a gastro doctor in the a&e! I have been back to GP and told him I freaked out so they have referred me to rapid chest access clinic which I have been told its quite quick and then I ill go from there. I have had this sort of stress test before and was told straight away that everything was fine so hopefully will get the same again xx
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976897 tn?1379167602
The injection just makes you breathe faster for about 2 mins, but I understand your fear. I can't see any reason why they won't use the treadmill. Are you going to harefield for the test? That's where I've had a couple done. I don't think you will be any the wiser on monday. A specialist analyses your results and writes a report to your cardiologist, who in turn makes an appointment. If they need to speak with you urgently you will hear within a week, otherwise I doubt if you will get an appointment before a month.
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1709162 tn?1314084832
I am going to go to the appointment and ask to if I would be allowed to use the treadmill to do the test rather than a stress injection. I think out of all the test that is the thing that is scaring me the most. I know if I don't get it done it will worry me further and I should just get it over with. Thank you so much for giving me some reassurance. I have the test on Monday will post how it goes
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976897 tn?1379167602
If you are too scared to have the test, then nobody can force you. I know over 20 people including myself who have had the test and not one has become ill over it. It's a shame because it is totally non-invasive, it's just a scan. Let's pray that it is just anxiety and weight.
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1709162 tn?1314084832
Thank you for your comments. I  really don't want to have it as I know there are people who have become ill from it. I have not been sleeping at all because of the worry. I have constant chest pain but I know that could be a combination of anxiety and digestive problems. I am also still getting palpitations. I was referred by a consultant in the emergency assessment unit but have never been given his name or the name of any consultant to see. The emergency doctor said he was ordering the tests because I had put on weight recently (9.5 St  to 13 st ) and the fact I used to smoke 15 months ago and that was that. Only explanation I got. I want to have it so I know everything is good but other than that I don't know
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976897 tn?1379167602
Hi, what you have to remember is your cardiologist deals with the heart, this is his main area of expertise. What he is suspecting is while your heart is racing, the discomfort can be caused by a blockage. With an abnormal ECG in such circumstances, it is vital to have tests to rule out certain conditions. I wouldn't be nervous about a perfusion scan one bit. They inject you with a radioactive dye and then take 2 scans usually an hour apart. One scan is with your heart stressed and one with your heart relaxed. The scans will reveal if any areas of your heart are not getting sufficient oxygen under stress, by comparing to the one at rest. It could be that you have a blockage, or it may turn out to be a waste of time, who knows. That's the whole idea behind such a test and will make them look elsewhere. Reactions to the radioactive dye are very rare and it will be out of your system pretty quickly anyway. To get your heart into stressed mode, they will get you to walk on a treadmill and this will increase in speed and incline, making it more difficult. As I said, don't worry, your heart is monitored throughout the procedure. It's all very well just saying it can be the anxiety, but of course it could just as easily be anything else. Being the expert on hearts, your cardiologist now has you on his records and will not discharge you until he is happy that your heart is absolutely 100% healthy. I would urge you to take the test and let the cardiologist run through his tests to ensure you are fit.
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11548417 tn?1506080564
Sorry, discard last line.
Whoaaah, this awful comment text box does not give you a normal overview of what you have typed.
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11548417 tn?1506080564
Hi Kath,

Right place or not, I will give you my opinion :-)

How do you feel now, 6 weeks after hospitalization? Are you still having chest pains?  If not, I see no reason at all for the myocardial perfusion scan.
If yes, the decision is a bit more difficult. It still can be caused by anxiety.

If you see your GP regularly, I think his judgement is very valuable. He knows you much better than the consultant and is much more familiar with your specific anxiety problems.
If he thinks it is not necessary, I would not do the test if I were you as it does not give you peace of mind but in fact quite the opposite.



Changing your medication can give side effects.
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