Re: Is my heart really OK?

Posted By Linda on July 22, 1999 at 09:25:24
I am a 49 year old female about 20 pounds overweight, cholesterol of 237 (but with a good ratio), very low blood pressure, no history of tobacco use, and a good family history (heart disease on both sides but after the age of 60).  For the past six months I have been having chest pains (a squeezing sensation really) and fatigue.  Because I have no risk factors, my PCP reluctantly ordered a stress test. It showed some abnormalities in "slope".  From that we went to a thallium stress test.  I had both parts (exercise, then rest)and the diagnosis was that I had "inferior wall ischemia".
On Monday I had a heart catherization.  Both my cardiologist and I were surprised that everything was normal.  He ordered gall bladder tests and they discovered I have a minor problem with my gall bladder and will someday need to have it removed.  The general consensus is that my gall bladder has caused the chest pain (which I still have).
My question is - is the heart cath reliable?  How could all three stress tests indicate ischemia and the left heart cath say "no problem".  Should I get my records and seek another opinion from a cardiologist?  Should I do any follow-up over the next few years?  If so, what?

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 22, 1999 at 11:12:51
Dear Linda
The results of the heart catheterization are very reliable. If there was no blockage, then the stress test results were wrong; this happens sometimes with stress tests, especially in people that are overweight. You should follow-up regularly with your primary care doctor. You should also think about losing weight and lowering your cholesterol before these risk factors actually lead to heart disease.
A murmur that changes with position (and disappears) as in your daughter's case is usually due to a benign or innocent murmur. These tend to go away with increasing age.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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.











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