Nuclear Stress Test - Not accurate

Any test can be inaccurate and nothing in your medical records can be deleted however, they can make a note to the fact that there may be some inaccuracy. EKG's are inaccurate at times too.

You might search online for any case reports or other evidence of such artifacts. Also a second opintion might be in order.

@19281928 Yes, I know EKG's often have artifacts...the patient moves, the skin patches are not securely in place, the patient is sweating, perhaps too much hair chest which must be shaved, the machine is not working right, etc.
It just amazes me that such a highly sophisticated cardiac test, taking 3 1/2 hours to complete can be wrong. A complete waste of time for the patient and all the staff involved.

@briarrose I agree with you . Also that nuclear test was so incredibly painful for me that I was devastated for a few days . Was painful for you ? when I tell other doctors how painful it was they look at me oddly as though it shouldn't have been. I honestly felt like I was going to die right there. nobody should have to go through that . however, the test came back showing no issues

@briarrose "A complete waste of time for the patient and all the staff involved."

Not to mention money. Somebody's paying for these errors.

I don't think it's rare. Google about the sensitivity and specificity of these tests. When my husband was much younger (30s?) he had one and actually ended up getting an angiogram, which was normal. He had a CAC score at age 65ish and it was zero.

It's not much consolation I know. I imagine the reason they keep it in his record is exactly because the test is not a definitive one. Maybe there was a transient problem and that little bit of data might be useful later?

I hope you can unravel it. Ask your doctor. S/he should be able to explain it. Even your PCP might be able to explain it. When I asked the doctor who came to see me after my husband's clean angiogram what had happened for us to end up here, he just shrugged and made it seem as if it wasn't the right question or something to focus on. Unsatisfying for sure.

@scottrl Exactly!

Medicare and our secondary insurance is paying the big bucks for this test - which WILL be big bucks for a test like this. And then the cardiology group will get paid big bucks for a "non-test" , we will get billed for the copayment and Medicare and secondary will swallow the rest.

Something is wrong with this picture but lots of folks are telling me it happens all the time.
But with a test like this?
I was diagnosed with heart disease late 40s, stent implanted 50s...had multiple stress tests over the past 30 years, now 71 and never came across "artifacts" in a nuclear or treadmill stress testing. Well, it's just not right but at my/our age we are finding "lots" of things are does not right...and have to accept. Like it or not.

@19281928 The test was for my 70 year old husband. His last stress testing was in 2018 so this test was very important. He did not report any pain. He can not do the treadmill, that he finds very uncomfortable, becomes very fatigue and then his anxiety kicks in - which results in very high blood pressure. Thus, the reason "why" the nuclear testing was done.
And speaking of doctors which you mentioned...when my husband told this particular cardiologist he feels like he is going to "die" on the treadmill the doc said to him "we do 1000s per year, no one dies, what makes you so special?" Wow!
Glad to hear your testing results showed no issues. The follow up echocardiogram was "normal" for my husband and, therefore, the cardiologist was satisfied. If I were him, I would be very annoyed...still can not figure this out.
Be well.

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....

@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.