Re: Thallium Stress Test

Posted By Lisa on June 22, 1999 at 12:09:53
Hi,
I have posted several messages in this forum.  Thank you for the prompt responses that you offer.  This question may seem a little odd.  I am a 38 year old female who for 3 years now has suffered with bouts of pac's and pvc's. I have had and echo did, along with ekg's, bloodwork, and an event monitor that I wore for a month.  I was told my condition was benign.  I take 150 mg.'s of atenelol a day, along with .05 mg. of xanax at night, and as needed for anxiety associated with the palps. Even on this high dose of medication, I still have the pac's and pvc's very frequently (pretty much daily).  My question is: In all my testing, neither a stress test nor a thallium stress test has ever been mentioned to me.  Should I request a stress test to be performed?  And, without trying to sound dumb,  What is a thallium stress test?  Is it accurate for the cardiologist to have diagnosed my condition as benign without performing any kind of stress test?
Thank You in Advance
Lisa

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD- CRC on June 22, 1999 at 12:54:10
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your question. A thallium stress test is a nuclear image of blood flow to the heart. Basically there are two parts to a nuclear imaging test.  The order they are done may vary.  There is a rest portion of the test where the underlying status of the blood supply to the heart is determined.  The second portion is a stress portion.   The stress may be induced with a treadmill, bicycle or chemicals.  This portion of the test determines the presence of ischemia that is lack of blood flow to the heart.  A third picture is sometimes taken later to check for what is called hibernating myocardium that is heart tissue that is not getting much blood flow but is still alive.  Each portion may be done on the same day or on different days depending upon the protocol.
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.











Follow Ups:


Thallium Stress Test Lisa 6/22/1999
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Re: Thallium Stress Test CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 6/23/1999
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