HEART RHYTHM COMMUNITY
Do I really need a catscan for inverted T-wave?

Do I really need a catscan for inverted T-wave?

1. I'm 49 (female) and never had heart problems and have no family history of heart problems. My cholesterol is 124. I exercise several times a week. I have normal blood pressure. I weight 120 lbs. I eat healthy foods only. Rarely have caffeine. I have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome my entire life. Take 5HTP for sleep and fluticasone nose spray for allergies and claritin.
2. Had routine EKG during a physical and was told EKG "not normal."
3. Wore holter 24 hours. Was told I had "significant pauses."
3. Had echocardiogram stress test. Was told no holes in heart, no mitral valve prolapse, no blocked arteries, no heart lining inflammation. Stress test was normal and was a piece of cake. Only comment from stress test coordinator was I "had an inverted T-wave which was normal for me because it was consistent throughout the test."
4. Cardiologist said he can find "nothing major wrong" per echo cardiogram but thinks I have "straight-back syndrome" causing my inverted T-wave. Wants me to have a catscan just to make sure. I don't want all that radiation when the majors problems have all been ruled out.

Do you think I need to have a catscan? I have had no heart issues my entire life.

Thanks.
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I don't know what a catscan adds, so I have no advice other than the doctor recommended it.  

Unless I missed it, you didn't mention any heart rhythm problems or symptoms, and the only reason the subject came up was from the result of an EKG during a regular exam.  If that is correct, it seems there is very little reason to do other tests, still the doctor recommends the additional test.  I can't recommend to ignore professional advice.
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I don't have any other heart rhythm problems or symptoms. Yes, the inverted T-wave was found during a routine physical and then significant pauses on the holter. But, after the stress test and echo cardiogram the cardiologist said he couldn't find any problems. When doing some research on the internet I found out that many people have an inverted-T wave with various causes. I have none of the causes. And, I found out that a cat scan gives a person 3 years of what is considered normal background radiation. Since I am at much more risk of breast cancer (mother died of) than of heart problems (none in family) I'm trying to watch my radiation levels since I have to have so many mammograms (20 years worth) anyway. So, I called the cardiologist's office and asked to cancel the appointment unless there was a very compelling reason for going ahead with the cat scan. After talking to three different people in his office, trying to get my message to the doctor, they finally understood my point (the first person didn't speak English very well). The nurse even agreed that the doctor had just ordered the cat scan to be on the safe side. I never heard back from the doctor so I think I can safely assume there was no compelling reason for the cat scan other than the doctor trying to be very thorough, which is very understandable in today's litigious society.

Thank you so much for responding to my question!
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