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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Echo Stress 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.
Re: Echo Stress Tests
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 15, 1998 at 18:16:45:
In Reply to: Echo Stress Tests posted by Lourdes on December 15, 1998 at 18:10:56:
I was reading an answer to a post on this forum regarding whether or not echocardiograms can detect artery blockages. The answer was that echos cannot detect even the most serious of artery blockages. My first question is, why do cardiologists use stress echos to determine whether heart disease may be present if echos cannot detect blocked arteries? I'm confused. My second question is, wouldn't the stress thallium the best non-invasive test there is to detect artery blockages rather than a stress echo considering that an echo cannot detect blockages?
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Dear Lourdes
An echocardiogram obtained at rest can detect prior large heart attacks. It cannot detect coronary artery blockages. An exercise echocardiogram or an exercise thallium can detect significant coronary artery blockages reasonably well. Both tests are similar in their sensitivity for picking up coronary artery disease. Either test can sometimes miss a serious blockage.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
In Reply to: Echo Stress Tests posted by Lourdes on December 15, 1998 at 18:10:56:
I was reading an answer to a post on this forum regarding whether or not echocardiograms can detect artery blockages. The answer was that echos cannot detect even the most serious of artery blockages. My first question is, why do cardiologists use stress echos to determine whether heart disease may be present if echos cannot detect blocked arteries? I'm confused. My second question is, wouldn't the stress thallium the best non-invasive test there is to detect artery blockages rather than a stress echo considering that an echo cannot detect blockages?
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Dear Lourdes
An echocardiogram obtained at rest can detect prior large heart attacks. It cannot detect coronary artery blockages. An exercise echocardiogram or an exercise thallium can detect significant coronary artery blockages reasonably well. Both tests are similar in their sensitivity for picking up coronary artery disease. Either test can sometimes miss a serious blockage.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
