Stress Test - what type?

[maverick11]

I have a mild left chest pain. The doctor has asked me to go in for a stress test. My question is can I choose a MRI stress test over a Nuclear stress test? I am a little concerned over all the radiation flowing through my body and the risks for developing cancer.

Thanks in advance.

[tanns]

Honestly, the stress MRI is HORRIBLE.  I'm not sure what you would be injected with to stess the heart but I was given adenosine and it was the worse experience of my life.  I asked the doc on the other forum and this is what he said:

"I tell people before they receive adenosine that they are going to feel like ****. A close friend of mine had VT at a young age and told me that when I give patients adenosine to make sure they know they feel like they are going to die but that they won't.  It impressed upon me that a minority of peole that receive adenosine have significant symptoms, while the majority feel a brief flushing.  Adenosine should cause no long term problems though.  It is incredibly quickly metabolized and is in  your heart as we speak as a native hormone/chemical that your body makes."

The nurse told me I'd feel a slight warming sensation like I just stepped out in the sun.  Not even close, I've had two kids with no pain meds and this was WORSE.

Anyway, I've had both and I would do the Nuclear test 200 times before I'd do another STRESS-MRI.

I wish you well.

[Itschuck2c]

The radiation in a stress test is less than a chest xray. SO dont worry about it.