Re: Thallium Stress Test

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on February 17, 1999 at 08:51:46:

In Reply to: Re: Thallium Stress Test posted by Bob Harris on February 02, 1999 at 18:29:16:






I'm going to have a thallium stress test done.  The instruction & info sheet  on the test was given to me at the doctor's office.  It said the test is done in one day at 2 different times several hours apart.  My doctor has schleduled one part to be done on Friday & the next part on the following Monday.  Why is that?  
         Thanks for any info.
Is the more or less risk in taking a chemical stress test as opposed to a physical one? And what are the risks? For example, can such as test cause heart damage?
Since there is a fairly high percentage of false negative and positive readings, when is it generally advisable advisable to take take it?
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Dear Bob,
I would say the risk is about the same.  There is a small risk of heart attack, arrhythmia or death (1 in 10,000) during a stress test.  The decision to proceed with a stress test is based on the symptoms, patient profile and past history.
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.