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Help with Thallium Stress Test Results
by glblue, Oct 27, 2007 05:17AM
I'm a 42 year old male with PSVT, overweight or obese much of my life, but lost 70lbs on Atkins 4 years ago and kept it off - now I'm at a good weight. Former smoker (quit 7years ago).
In preparation for an ablation for PSVT, my doctor ordered a Thallium Stress test. He says the nuclear imaging "raises the possibility of an abnormality in the lower heart, but I don't think it's clinically significant given your young age and lack of symptoms".
What is meant by "clinically significant"? That I have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), but no symptoms? or a false positive on the test? How sensitive is the nuclear imaging (would a small blockage show up, or only a large blockage?
I'm quite concerned because it will be at least a couple of weeks before my Dr. follow up and I have no guidance regarding whether I should be concerned about a heart attack in the short term pending the next round of tests.
Thanks,
Glblue
In preparation for an ablation for PSVT, my doctor ordered a Thallium Stress test. He says the nuclear imaging "raises the possibility of an abnormality in the lower heart, but I don't think it's clinically significant given your young age and lack of symptoms".
What is meant by "clinically significant"? That I have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), but no symptoms? or a false positive on the test? How sensitive is the nuclear imaging (would a small blockage show up, or only a large blockage?
I'm quite concerned because it will be at least a couple of weeks before my Dr. follow up and I have no guidance regarding whether I should be concerned about a heart attack in the short term pending the next round of tests.
Thanks,
Glblue
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I would interpret your doctor's comments as meaning the result of the Thallium Stress test is either a false positive or indicates a very slight blockage (<30%--- in that case you would have symptomless CAD and wouldn't be a candidate for a near term heart attack). I had a similar Thallium result recently and opted to have a follow up 64-slice CTA. That test indicated a few blockages of 30% or less (also a high calcium or CAC score). Knowing that convinced me I better go on a statin to lower my cholesterol (as my doc had been recommending for a couple of years). Of course, in your case, further testing may show completely clear arteries instead (i.e, the thallium test was a false positive).
Clinical significance means that the desease has progressed enough to be treated with meds or lifestyle change. Basically, your doctor is saying not to worry for the time being. There's still plenty of time to lower cholesterol to slow or reverse the pregression of CAD, if in fact there is any.
Best of luck with the PVST ablation!