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I Have Been Seeing A Cardiologist For Different Problems And
Posted on
Tue, 20 Nov 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 20 Nov 2018
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : I have been seeing a cardiologist for different problems and one of them, a seeming shortness of breath, made him want to check for heart disease. He is going to give me a stress test, but I am very worried about having it done, especially since the feeling makes me not want to walk far. I was wondering if there are any other non-invasive tests that could be done to check for it.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that considering your clinical situation, I would recommend performing a dobutamine stress echo instead, which can help investigate for possible coronary artery disease without the need of physical activity.
You should discuss with your doctor on this test.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that considering your clinical situation, I would recommend performing a dobutamine stress echo instead, which can help investigate for possible coronary artery disease without the need of physical activity.
You should discuss with your doctor on this test.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Are there any tests for it that does not involve speeding the heart up?
Are there any tests for it that does not involve speeding up the heart?.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that two tests which can help investigate for coronary artery disease without speeding up the heart would be:
- coronary angio CT scan
- coronary angiogram.
The coronary angiogram is much more invasive compared to the coronary angio CT scan.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that two tests which can help investigate for coronary artery disease without speeding up the heart would be:
- coronary angio CT scan
- coronary angiogram.
The coronary angiogram is much more invasive compared to the coronary angio CT scan.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Could you explain the coronary angio CT scan and any potential risks to me?.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The coronary angio CT scan is a type of CT scan (a lot of X rays), which examines the blood flow to the heart, the coronary arteries and the presence of calcium deposits in them and quantifies your risk for a heart attack.
It uses intravenous contrast to examine the coronary arteries.
The main risks related to this procedure would be:
- the risk of radiation, related to the CT scan
- the risk of contrast, including renal impairment and allergic reactions.
But there is no physical straining during the test and the heart does not make any efforts.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above test.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The coronary angio CT scan is a type of CT scan (a lot of X rays), which examines the blood flow to the heart, the coronary arteries and the presence of calcium deposits in them and quantifies your risk for a heart attack.
It uses intravenous contrast to examine the coronary arteries.
The main risks related to this procedure would be:
- the risk of radiation, related to the CT scan
- the risk of contrast, including renal impairment and allergic reactions.
But there is no physical straining during the test and the heart does not make any efforts.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above test.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
One other question: Would a lifeline screening check for heart disease?.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, a lifeline screening check would help investigate for possible cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, etc. and also detect possible coronary artery disease or carotid artery stenosis (low blood flow to the brain).
It is usually composed of non-invasive tests, but you may have to do an exercise cardiac stress test, because there is no test in this screening panel which help investigate for coronary artery disease, without imposing an effort to the heart.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, a lifeline screening check would help investigate for possible cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, etc. and also detect possible coronary artery disease or carotid artery stenosis (low blood flow to the brain).
It is usually composed of non-invasive tests, but you may have to do an exercise cardiac stress test, because there is no test in this screening panel which help investigate for coronary artery disease, without imposing an effort to the heart.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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