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Nuclear Stress Test - Not accurate
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
I had a NM test last week and it too stated that I had GI Uptake along with Chest wall Attenuation and received a score of 8 (Abnormal) showing a small fixed mild severity consistent with chest wall attenuation- which has me in my feelings because I am only 44 years old (Female). So, I asked questions because my cardiologist literally wrote me back and said my NM Test was normal and to continue diet and exercise. UMMMM- WHAT...are we reading the same results? My ECG portion also showed some ST horizontal depressions- less than 1mm whatever that means-( during stress test) And quick recovery at the end- he stated b/c I got my heart rate up to 170 my heart was supplying extra beats that can sometime look funky?!! And-GOOGLE is the devil because it literally has me dying if the test is truly abnormal. The reading provider stated No infarction or ischemia- that's a relief but how can you say my test is normal with all these funky things showing up??? I also had a CAC with a result of 21.1 3 years ago- hence the NM stress test. I am worried especially for my age- and after googling things I have learned that the Small fixed perfusion may truly be b/c of the artifact but still gives me false hope that what if it actually is something and we are ignoring it because of dense chest wall tissue.... I am and have been officially in my feelings because of the uncertainty this test. ALL other areas showed NORMAL blood flow...I am at a lost- and have requested an in person visit with my cardiologist to discuss further and UNFORTUNATELY his schedule is booked through DECEMBER!! I guess I now play the waiting game....
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@tabicat03 Yes, it seems you are between a rock and a hard place. Your test results are certainly not clear...what you wrote sounds like only a cardiologist can interpret.
"Chest wall attenuation" can mean lots of things (yes, I googled it too, including "artifact") so not sure exactly how this applies to your cardiac health issues.
The good news is no infarction or ischemia. And your ST wave (EKG) did not show an "elevation" during your stress test exertion which is clearly an indication of ischemia/block coronary arteries requiring a coronary catheterization for further evaluation, possible stent placement or even possible by-pass surgery depending on your particular heart picture.
Waiting until December to discuss your test results in person is awful! But certainly not uncommon these days. A couple of thoughts: You can speak to the cardiac nurses working with your cardiologist, express your concerns and fears. They will take all your issues and "should" present it to your cardiologist and it would be the RNs who get back to you in addressing your immediate concerns.
Or - what about a telemedicine visit? I have found booking in person is often a far out appointment but telemedicine is usually within a more reasonable wait time.
And if your cardiologist "team" has a couple of disciplines working in the office - a Physician Assistant (PA, hopefully certified) or even a Nurse Practitioner (NP, again, hopefully certified) such staff might be the folks who do the telemedicine with you...which would be fine as you wait for your December appointment with the big guy. Such staff in your cardiologist's office would report back to him/her and all work together as a team (at least, they should be).
And another final thought: I more than hope you are working with a cardiologist who is "in tune" to heart disease in women and in "young" women like yourself. Just about every study done in heart disease was done on "men"...heart disease in women presents an entirely different picture than men. Big Time. I don't mean to scar you - but it is a fact. Heart disease is the # 1 killer of women in the US. More than all the cancers combined. And heart disease can and often shows up in women in your age bracket. Mine did...in my late 40s. I am now 71.
So, if you have a cardiologist (old school) who simply dismisses your concerns and your symptoms - think twice about staying with him. You want a cutting-edge physician who is skilled, understands and is top notch competent about women and heart disease.
However, your cardiac picture remains unclear at this point.
Hopefully you will get it all settled appropriately. I think you will!
All the best to you.