Is Stress Echo better than TMT for monitoring insignificant blockage?

[subasu]

I am a 65 year old male Indian. For many years I have had a lower-than-usual heart rate with no other adverse symptoms like syncope, angina etc. Three years ago I had a catheter angiography that later turned out to have been uncalled-for. However, the one benefit that resulted from it was that I was reported to have a 30-40% blockage in my "mid and proximal LAD". This is being mediacally managed with clopidogrel 75g+aspirin 75g+atorvastatin 10g. I have been advised to periodically get my blockage checked. My question is whether for such check-up stress echocardiography (either dobutamine or exercise) would be more accurate and more informative than echo colour doppler screening followed by the usual TMT.

Subasu

[kenkeith]

There appears to be a computer software problem.  I can't through to the manager for an explanation of the problem all day.  Have you tried the link I have provided with the post "Find a Doctor"? Its a new feature and may have something to do with the problem you are having as there may be a conversion from the old procedure to the new (just guessing).  However, the link may serve your interest.  I will get back to you when I have an explanation.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

[subasu]

Thanks for your response. I hope you will understand that for greater assurance I also feel the need for a response from a specialist. But every time I type out this question at the Doctor's Forum and post it, it reappears in this forum, so that I appear to be foolishly asking the same question repeatedly. Can you help me find the way to get a specialist's opinion?

[kenkeith]

An echo is reliable to view blood flow through the valves into venticles and then into circulation and right side to the lungs.  Wall dimensions, chamber capacity, ability to pump adequately and structual integrity.

Because there appears to be some occlusion of a vessel, and your question relates to an interest in ischemia (lack of blood flow throught vessels), the stress test would be more appropriate for any finding in vessel occlusion.

Thanks for sharing and if you have any further questions, you are welcome to respond.  Take care.