Abnormal T waves significance

[irish_ayes]

For years I have had depressed ST - T segments on my EKG, as do other members of my immediate family.  When first diagnosed I underwent cardiac catheterization, which showed no coronary artery problems.  A recent holter monitor test showed I now have dropped T waves during times I thought I was experiencing PVC's.  My cardiologist is anxious to repeat the cardiac catheterization but I am very reluctant to do so.  I experience no angina, no shortness of breath with normal activities, have only low borderline cholesterol numbers (210) and am usually hypotensive.  I am scheduler for a stress test and echocardiogram soon.  In the mean time my cardiologist wants to start me on calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerine.

What, other than coronary artery disease, might be causing this EKG abnormality?  And what would happen if a hypotensive patient takes calcium channel blockers and nitro?  My normal BP runs between 94/64 to 118/78 with occassional diastolic elevation when under stress.

[irish_ayes]

Very familiar with the Thallium stress test.  Had one done prior to the last catheterization, and that is next on my appointment list.  Calcium channel blockers to be perscribed rather than beta blockers as I am a severs asthmatic and pulmonary function is poor. But the channel blockers will lower BP that is already low, which concerns me.  And my cardiologist is the one who said the dropped T waves ment I probably had a blocked artery.  But I think there is something else at work here.  Any ideas?

[Jerry_NJ]

Your low BP may be the reason you're going on channel blocker rather than the more common beta blocker.

I would think a stress test, even a nuclear stress test, would be run before an catheter work would be done.  That said, I am unaware of the T-wave as an indicator of possible artery blockage, but I do know that is one of the main uses of the stress test.   And stress tests are non-intrusive and less expensive.