CT angio question

[zuber]

when it comes to atypical symptoms, in a 41 yr old male, with moderate risk factor,   would a normal Cardiac CTA and regular stress test  replace the need for a NUCLEAR stress?   (would it be in fact the superiour choice in most cases?)

[Cleveland Clinic]

CTA exposes you to quite a bit of radiation and since you are only 41, your life risk of developing complications from it is not trivial.  The nuclear stress test or a catheterization both have lower radiation exposure.  I am not sure that you should have any of those tests, however.  Your symptoms are quite atypical and I don't think that they are related to significant coronary artery disease.  The fact that your exercise stress test was normal is very encouraging.  I have not found CTA's to be at all useful.  There are many artifacts related to patient's movement, poor technique or coronary wall calcification.  However, if you are really concerned about your symptoms, go with the nuclear test.  It is a relatively functional test at it provides information on the heart's blood perfusion.      

[zuber]

YOU see,   the cardio I saw immediately ordered a nuke stress   for my symptoms  which are just chest pain  not worse with exercise,  and attacks of lightheadedness,   chest burning (not heartburn)   and a stinging in my left shoulder....  I was wondering if I could "bypass" (no pun intended)  the nuke test and just get a CTA to settle the score?