Plz help! Cardiolite stress Test Results

[jan__0__0]

Posted by jan on July 21, 1999 at 09:43:31
Thanks for all your help until now.
Results of my cardiolite Stress test
Details : Age - 38 , female, 5'1", 180 Pounds, High BP ( medication - 50mg Toprol, currently aspirin once a day - for the past 1 week ). Palpitations, sometimes mild chest pain ( nothing strong - comes and goes, sometimes with left arm ache - more often left arm ache, without chest pain ).
Bruce protocol stress - 9 minutes , discontinued because of fatigue, Stopped toprol for cardiolite stress test for 48 hrs.
Results from nuclear study -
The planar image obtained immediately post exercise in the anterior view shows a homogenous distribution of activity in the visualized portion of the myocardium. There is no significant uptake in teh lung.
Tomographic analysis shows a mild relative reduction in activity of the anterior wall, post exercise which is not present at rest. The same is true for the inferolateral wall distally. No transmural defects are seen,
Gated wall motion evaluation shows normal contraction and thickening of all segments, The ejection fraction was normal at 74%.
Impression :L
The stress 99mTC sestamibi myocardial perfusion analysis shows evidence of mild ischemic change of the anterior wall and the distal inferolateral wall. There are no transmural defects. No wall motion abnormalities were demonstrated. The ejection fraction is normal at 74%.

My blood cholesterol was checked last week. It is 159 - total cholesterol
Cholesterol/hdl ratio : 4.1
HDL - 39
ldl 91
triglycerides - 146
What does this mean? Is the prognosis very bad? Is my arteries so clogged up that I'm gettting chest pain and shortness of breath. What do they do now. Does angiplasty, cure this, or once they are compressed it, can the plaque just come back. How is this possible with my cholesterol being so low. Does hypertension also cause plaque to build up? How does it do that.
Thanks.  

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 21, 1999 at 10:20:58
Most likely a false positive cardiolyte test given the normal wall motion. I doubt that you need a heart cath.  Your doctor can address what the best next step is for you.  In the meantime it is always a good idea to develop a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet and exercise.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
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.
  
Posted by jan on July 23, 1999 at 10:13:39
Thanks for your comments. My cardiologist wants to do a heart cath. Are there any risks to this procedure. Should I request a delay.
Can hypertension cause arteries to get clogged. Is this possible. How does it do that. I thought if the blood cholesterol is low, then the plaque will not form.
Is plaque the only reason that there would be diminished flow of Oxygen.
The risk factors I have for heart disease are  
1. hypertension - yes
2. obesity      - yes
3. Diabetic     - no
4. Cholesterol  - no
5. Smoking      - no
6. Stress       - sometimes
I guess what I'm asking is how does obesity and hypertension cause coronary artery disease. They seem to be my two risk factors. I'm on toprol for BP. and
working out is getting to be a problem with shortness of breath, PVCs and sometimes Chest Pain - tho not very strong. I've never felt like an elephant sitting on my chest, or a squeezing pain, just short stabs. Mostly it's shortness of breath.
Thanks. sorry for the long question. I truly appreciate your help.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 26, 1999 at 09:22:28
Well, a cath is the gold standard and the best way to prove one way of another the role of the heart in causing your chest pain.  It is not without risks and you need to discuss these with your doctor before proceeding.  Best wishes.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
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.