Question about appropriate Test and ECG?

[Marc Greenleaf]

I am 55 years old with a family history of CHD, paternal died at 60 and sibling died at 42.
In 1998 I had angioplasty performed on 3 RCA blockages. Two stents were installed.
My current med's are: Altace 5mg, Tiazac 120mg, Lipitor 10mg, folic acid 1mg, aspirin 80mg.
My cholesterol levels, LDL/HDL are excellent.

Recently I have begun to experience mild angina with exertion such as raking leaves or running.  
I received a thalium stress test with mixed results.
The x-ray revealed no apparent blockages, but my ECG was abnormal, particularly with what I believe is inversion of the ST complex at a heart rate of 135-150. (This was the same ECG indications I had prior to my angioplasty.)
It has been recommended I receive another cardiac cath for further diagnostics.

My questions are:
Is there an alternative or better diagnostic procedure then the cardiac cath? (PET?)

Is the ECG "ST" inversion indicative of something other the arterial blockage, or is it commonly related or symptomatic of the condition.
(I experienced the abnormal ECG after I had the angioplasty in a 3 month post operative stress test 18 months ago. This leads me to believe that they are not related.?)
I feel that the abnormal ECG is not being looked at independently or considered as indicative of some other problem. I would like you opinion on this.

Also, whom should I contact at the Cleveland Clinic should I desire to pursue treatment there?

Thank you.

[ROSE OGE]

Dear Doctors:

I recently have a heart test ECG.  The result said abnormal.  I am feeling perfectly fine, but it seems that I am sick.  Here is the results of the ECG:  First abnormal, then the paper shows

Rate  70             Normal sinus rhytm, rate 70
PR    173            Right atrial enlargement
QRSD  68             Consider left atrial enlargement
QT    363
QTc   392

AXIS
P     73
QRS   32
T     56

What all these figures mean?  I called the doctor to get some explanation, but he is always out.   on my last call, he was on vacation.  Also my cholesterol results
Triglecerides        111
Cholesterol          271
HDL                   48
LDL                  200.8
I am reading this from a page I begged the nurse  at the doctor's office to send me, because I want to know since I am 51 years old and I just start menopause.   Now with this I am all scared and confuse.  When I had this check-up visit, I was just trying to get some info about my health at the onset of menopause.  Your reply is appreciated.

Thanks,  Marie

[chris sosa]

I AM 43 years old i have been having problems with vomiting i have been checked by a specialist and they found nothing. I also feel pain in my chest and neck and left arm occasionly i'm also overweight and have high colestral. I'm worried that I may be developing clogged arteries I have asked the doctor if my symtoms      may have anything related. he said that it's possible but he did'nt think so. what do you think?

[J Glassee]

I am 38 yrs old and recently diagnosed with supraventricular extraststoles...I was put on a HOlter twice, and the first time it registered about 3000 extra heartbeats over a 24 hr period. The second time was done after two weeks of Atenolol (50mg) and it registered over 13000 extra heartbeats.

I am now on ATenolol (100 mg)and the cardiologist has told me that my "condition" is benign. However, i do get anxious when the palpitations starts and most of the time it does last for hours. I have had this for more than 2 years now and it seems to have gotten worse over the years.

I would like to know if I should really go for a second opinion and if my condition is benign.  Would it deteriorate as i grow older?

Thanks

[J. Fancher]

Isn't there a new NON-INVASIVE procedure similar to a CAT scan
that is being used in some medical facilities in place of the INVASIVE angiogram procedure?  I saw something on TV a few months
ago about this new procedure.   Do you know what it is called
and who is doing it?  It seems that the risks would be much
smaller.

Thanks

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

If I understand the question correctly, you had an exercise thallium stress test, in which the thallium pictures were normal, but the ECG portion was abnormal. In general, in this situation, the thallium is the more definitive portin of the test, and if it is normal the ECG portion is disregarded. However, in the presence of symptoms that sound classic for angina, and multiple risk factors, such as a strong family history of heart disease, a cardiac catheterization would be the only definitive test to perform. If you were interested in being seen here, you can call the 1-800-CCF-CARE number and ask for an appointment with one of our interventional cardiologists.