Stress test

I am 44 years old with a bad family history of heart disease and was diagnosed with heart disease 2 years ago.

During the first year I underwent 3 angioplasties in which 4 stents were installed. After the 3rd failure I underwent a double bypass using the mammary artery to correct the problem. During the period of angioplasty within a month or two of each procedure I Knew the problem was not corrected yet I could initially pass a stress test with no problem. The symptoms were typical heavy squeezing chest that came and went with the use of Nitro.

In Oct 98 my operation was done. Just 6 weeks prior to the operation I had symptoms but passed a stress test with no problem. After the operation everything seemed fine until 5 months later I was experiencing heavy squeezing chest with a heart rate of 110. I was put on Metoprolol twice a day which eliminated the problem. 3 months later same heavy squeezing but regular heart rate, they increased the dose to 3 times a day. Now 2 months later same thing again, yet I can excercise with no problem at all. I'm a non smoker, eat proper low fat diet, excersize regular and not overweight.

My questions are: Why initially does this not show up while doing a stress test and is this trend unusual with heart disease?

Thank you
John

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear John,

Heart disease is a chronic condition and unfortunately blockages can and do reoccur.  I'm not sure what exactly you mean by the question.  Perhaps the blockage had not progressed to a point where it could be detected by the stress test when you had it. Or perhaps the stress test was suboptimal.  In either case it is not a perfect test and symptoms are sometimes the best guide.