Have I had too many nuclear stress tests? need some piece of mind

[Dentalmaniac]

I hope that my post is not a long rumble. I’m a bit of a hyperchondriac and have been dealing with heart issues since 2000.  I am 39 years old otherwise healthy female with two kids. I have had issues with atypical heart pain and have been to multiple cardiologists throughout the last ten years. I am now worried that I’ve had too much radiation by putting myself through two nuclear stress tests in the last 3 years. The first one was done in June of 2006 and they used 8.2 mci of techtium-99 sestamibi before treadmill and 36.7mci of techtium-99 sestamibi after treadmill and took scans. The second test was done in February of 2009. I’m not sure which material was used in that test but plan on finding out from the office where it was done. My question is have I exposed myself to dangerously high levels of radiation. I’ve read multiple articles on the web and can’t figure out how much potential exposure I’ve had. Some sources say 500 mrem and some say as high as 2500mrem. I would appreciate if someone can help answer. As I said I’m a hypochondriac and now think I’m doomed to get cancer because of this. Really looking for some reassurance. All the articles that I've read so far on the web have scared me to death!

[ChatterAlly]

I have a few of these tests also, and was never told that I could expose others to the radiation.  I am curious if this is indeed a risk.

[Dentalmaniac]

Thank you both for answering my question. Also I was not told to stay away from my kids after these tests. My son was 3 and then 4 when these were done. Would i have caused him to get the radiation as well? I'm sure he would've hugged me quite a bit afterwards

[ed34]

Nuclear cardiac scans have been in use for 5 decades and no long term effects from the low radiation used has been found. The internet is a great place for finding scary things, this is because it's rare to see the millions of successes reported. It is common to see the odd cases were accidents, reactions or death has occurred. In the last three years I've had 2 nuclear scans, a ct scan and 6 angiograms as well as lots of x-rays.

[Flycaster305]

I don't know the numbers and the science behind how much radiation is too much, so better minds than mine can answer your question.  However, I've had at least ten stress tests the last twelve years, plus close to that number of angiograms and a pacemaker implantation.  I'm sure I glow in the dark.  So far, not a sign of cancer.  In my case, getting my heart health under control trumped my fear of too much radiation.  To my way of thinking, it's a matter of choice, and once a course is chosen, there is absolutely no sense in worrying about it.  I hope you find an answer to your heart questions.