Phlox
07-15-2008, 04:04 PM
I know there are alot of members here with experience in testing for heart problems, and Im getting a little confused by some posts that recommend certain tests. Basically I am wondering which test is THE most informative and dependable for finding whether or not there is a problem with the heart? Ive read some that say it should be a Heart CT, or a NUCLEAR Stress Test, or Angiogram, or Heart Echo...etc, etc. I would think that if a Doctor wasnt sure what was wrong with a heart, isnt there a test that can see ALL problems?
If someone were to have one (or two if just one isnt enough), which test is the most helpful, and the one test that could find most (if not all) problems a Heart could have? Thank you for any help, I would really appreciate any opinions or experiences on which test is the best to have to check for a Heart problem!
If someone were to have one (or two if just one isnt enough), which test is the most helpful, and the one test that could find most (if not all) problems a Heart could have? Thank you for any help, I would really appreciate any opinions or experiences on which test is the best to have to check for a Heart problem!
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confused32
07-15-2008, 06:52 PM
An angiogram is known by all to be the only test that is able to tell if you have a blockage. It is the gold standard in heart testing. The others have to many chances of having a false positive or false negative result.
Phlox
07-16-2008, 02:39 AM
Thank you for the reply Confused32, but I was under the impression that Doctors will only give an angiogram if you fail stress tests, or if there is more "evidence" of a heart problem, because it was risky? In other words, is it unlikely that a Doctor will give you an angiogram before having other tests? If that is the case, which test is the best to have prior to the angio?
Also, just how dangerous is an Angio, and is it something that is very painful?
Thank you again for any responses! :)
Also, just how dangerous is an Angio, and is it something that is very painful?
Thank you again for any responses! :)
confused32
07-16-2008, 11:46 AM
In my case i have had every test besides a cath or the 64 slice scan. I was told by one of my cardio's that they would do the angio for my piece of mind. I decided against that due to the risk of the test and no test had showed i need it, i just believe i need it. I am going to a new cardio in August and i am going to ask for the 64 slice scan. I believe and this is just my opinion that none of the test are accurate enough to know for sure. I had 2 nuclear and they both showed my heart is fine. I had a calcium scanning and it showed i had no calcium build up. I have had several echo's and a regular stress test. I have a severe health anxiety about my heart and it keeps me from relaxing even though all my test show my heart is fine. I think after i have the 64 slice i will finally put my mind to rest. I am to scared to do the angio even though it would totally put my mind at ease, i worry something will go wrong and i didnt even need the darn test. Its just really going to be on your personal preference on what testing you do that will make you feel comfortable. I know they are very easy on giving the nuclear stress test they say it is very reliable.
Phlox
07-18-2008, 02:51 PM
Thank you very much Confused, I appreciate your reply! My doctor is setting me up for a regular stress test, I asked about the nuclear and she said something along the lines of "Thats usually for senior citizens, I dont think you need that yet." Its hard to argue when you still arent sure whats going on, at least for me. Although, IIRC, Tim Russert had just had a regular Stress Test a month before he dropped from a heart attack, and thoughts like that certainly dont help either, hehe! I just hope this regular stress test is at least SOMEWHAT accurate, in comparison to the nuclear stress test? I just have no idea about these things. Thank you again!
confused32
07-18-2008, 02:53 PM
Your welcome. I really do know how you feel, it is all confusing to me also and i just dont understand why they cant make a test that is safe and accurate. Good luck, let me know how it goes.
Confused
Confused
Phlox
07-29-2008, 04:33 AM
I got the referral today for this "basic" Stress Test, and I couldnt help but consider calling to ask her about the Nuclear Stress Test. Considering my symptoms, my family history, smoking, increased stress the last few months, and recurring Gout issues (can be linked to heart disease) I wish I could get the more accurate test. The more accurate the better, its just too common in my family (even younger members, one as early as 25 years old!) for it to be passed off as it just being the Reflux.
Also, the person who I saw wasnt a Doctor but rather a P.A. (Physicians Assistant)---Dont get me wrong she is AWESOME and better than some Doc's Ive seen over the years---but in all honesty something like this with the Heart makes me a little nervous about her not being concerned because of my age. Well thank you again for your kind words and your listening, it is appreciated and I hope everything is going very well for you! I'll let you know what happens, take care Confused!!
Also, the person who I saw wasnt a Doctor but rather a P.A. (Physicians Assistant)---Dont get me wrong she is AWESOME and better than some Doc's Ive seen over the years---but in all honesty something like this with the Heart makes me a little nervous about her not being concerned because of my age. Well thank you again for your kind words and your listening, it is appreciated and I hope everything is going very well for you! I'll let you know what happens, take care Confused!!
confused32
07-29-2008, 08:33 AM
I would demand the nuclear. The regular stress test i was told by my cardio is a waste of time. I would just call them and tell them you want the nuclear and are not going to waste your time on a regualr stress test.
Connie122516
07-31-2008, 01:07 PM
How old are you?
To say that the nuclear stress test is only for senior citizens is ridiculous.
It saved my life, and I was "only" 53 at the time. (For males, given a family and personal history similar to yours, especially if you are having some symptoms, to go with only a regular stress test is just plain silly IMHO, unless you are very young, i.e. significantly under about 40).
To say that the nuclear stress test is only for senior citizens is ridiculous.
It saved my life, and I was "only" 53 at the time. (For males, given a family and personal history similar to yours, especially if you are having some symptoms, to go with only a regular stress test is just plain silly IMHO, unless you are very young, i.e. significantly under about 40).
Beefsteak
07-31-2008, 01:56 PM
Phlox,
There are several issues here, and one is your pursuit of a single test of your heart. Usually that's not possible as different tests are better for different problems. SO first it's a screening test and THEN it's a choice of which way to go to get the DETAILED information on the exact problem, assuming there is a problem.
Now if you have problems with breathlessness, exertion, chest pain, a family history of heart disease, and are perhaps a smoker (or previous smoker) then the DR may SKIP the stress test and go straight for the angiogram. This is the BEST means of mapping the heart's arteries and quantifying the extent of arterial disease (ie blockages). Now the risk from the X-ray dose is about 1:1000 (ie one person in 1000 will have a fatal consequence). The same applies to the CT scan (provided it is one of the NEWER low-dose scanners) - older scanners give a higher, riskier, dose of x-rays. That aside you need to understand that the resolution of the angiogram is about 0.1mm, versus about 0.35mm for the CT scan. This means the EXACT condition of the arteries is best evaulated with an angiogram. There is another risk from the angiogram associated with the catheretization procedure and x-ray opaque dye reaction - of course that does not apply to the CT scan.
So you need to weigh the benefits, and quality of information obtained, against the cost (CT scans are expensive, relatively), and, if you are the worrying type, against the risks (eg contracting cancer from the x-ray exposure - that CAN happen, but it is very rare.).
If you have a look here:
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/informedconsent/cardiacforms.asp
you will see the sorts of risks associated with the various treatments. (The procedures are much the same in Australian hospitals and clinics as in the US.)
Don't be too alarmed!! :eek: :eek:
Beefy
There are several issues here, and one is your pursuit of a single test of your heart. Usually that's not possible as different tests are better for different problems. SO first it's a screening test and THEN it's a choice of which way to go to get the DETAILED information on the exact problem, assuming there is a problem.
Now if you have problems with breathlessness, exertion, chest pain, a family history of heart disease, and are perhaps a smoker (or previous smoker) then the DR may SKIP the stress test and go straight for the angiogram. This is the BEST means of mapping the heart's arteries and quantifying the extent of arterial disease (ie blockages). Now the risk from the X-ray dose is about 1:1000 (ie one person in 1000 will have a fatal consequence). The same applies to the CT scan (provided it is one of the NEWER low-dose scanners) - older scanners give a higher, riskier, dose of x-rays. That aside you need to understand that the resolution of the angiogram is about 0.1mm, versus about 0.35mm for the CT scan. This means the EXACT condition of the arteries is best evaulated with an angiogram. There is another risk from the angiogram associated with the catheretization procedure and x-ray opaque dye reaction - of course that does not apply to the CT scan.
So you need to weigh the benefits, and quality of information obtained, against the cost (CT scans are expensive, relatively), and, if you are the worrying type, against the risks (eg contracting cancer from the x-ray exposure - that CAN happen, but it is very rare.).
If you have a look here:
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/informedconsent/cardiacforms.asp
you will see the sorts of risks associated with the various treatments. (The procedures are much the same in Australian hospitals and clinics as in the US.)
Don't be too alarmed!! :eek: :eek:
Beefy