Was my Dobutamine Echocardiagram Stress Test even accurate? - Heart Disorders Message Board

mr_panicky · 08-10-2006, 02:20 PM

I had a a few EKG's, one treadmill stress test, a dobutamine echo stress test, and 7 days on a Holter monitor.

All tests came back normal.

Lenin said he had an echo that didn't pick up his 98% blocked major coronary artery.

I can get on a treadmill and speed walk, any faster and I would have to run, and my heart beats 160 bpm and I have no chest pains at all. As a matter of fact one day I had chest and back discomfort that I attributed to tension so I figured if it was a cardiac issue me getting on the treadmill would make the pain worse...

It didn't, as a matter of fact my pain was gone at the end of the 30 min workout.

I am an obese 265lb 6'1" guy who has dropped 50lbs from 318lb when I had my 1st panic attack in late February.

I am still losing.

I just need a voice of reason or common sense. I am not saying Lenin is full of it. I am trying to get a feel for what my results told me but afraid (my biggest fear) that it didn't tell me much in the way of artery blockage.

started04 · 08-11-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote: Lenin said he had an echo that didn't pick up his 98% blocked major coronary artery.I just need a voice of reason or common sense. I am not saying Lenin is full of it. I am trying to get a feel for what my results told me but afraid (my biggest fear) that it didn't tell me much in the way of artery blockage.

I agree with Lenin. An echo is ultra sound technology, and it can determine heart size, wall motion, wall thickness, valve integrity, and calculates the heart's output efficiency.

The doppler test (an extension of echo) color codes blood flow in one direction and another color for backward flow through the valves. There is a visual display of the blood flow.

A test for blockage requires a perfusion of a dye substance and the arteries are monitored for degree of blockage if any. Didn't your stress test involve injection of a dye?

mr_panicky · 08-11-2006, 05:17 PM

Not that I am aware of. If your talking injecting die and having to have cameras all around then no. I just had an echo stress test.

arlmon18 · 08-11-2006, 06:38 PM

I had a nuclear heart scan (Mibi) - with dye. This scan would show blockages. Thank goodness mine was normal. Does your doctor think you need to have this type of scan?

mr_panicky · 08-11-2006, 07:39 PM

She doesn't but she also has came out and said that she is very conservative/ cost effective doctor.

I remember when she said that she was going to "bite the bullet" and send me to a Cardilogist. He was about worthless in trying to explain things to me. I could tell that he didn't do any research before I got there.