Posted 1/11/2022 8:42 PM (GMT -5)
Hi to all--After a long hiatus & man, do I ..really need some feedback..!!
In the past posted on other topics- but all my other cardiac posts dealt with rhythm issue (SVT...PACs..etc )
Going back to late 1980s--1990s...always seeing a cardiologist (Both here in my native Phily) & out in LA
Have had .numerous studies Stress EKGs w contrast--Echos....Holter "Event monitors"----ALWAYS dealing w
the "Conduction" issues--never "Plumbing"---! (Dx with "mitral valve prolapse... Int. LBBB )-
Anyhow--now in my 70s--& had a "Stress EKG" (With isotope) back in...2017 ( all ..WAS good then)-
Good blood flow ejection fraction---
***THEN---saw my long time (Really good..I like him )--Cardiologist 3 wks ago...& I,,.....asked for another
"Stress EKG" with contrast---(At times...a bit short of breath...when climbing to my new...3rd floor apt-
Went about 10 days ago....Did the workup (Injecting the isotope..& the med that makes the heart race)
Did the test....& then,...next day got a call---from my cardiologist...& here's the deal..
**There..was ....a change,...!!
While all of my "Numbers " were good (My Ejection fraction... both pre & post stress was ...good ! )
My cardio said.."Heart functioning is good !" There was a "Shadow" somewhere..indicating scar tissue..
....Said-- he said.... "A possible....silent heart attack...sometime....after my last stress test--in 2017 & now"-
(In m mind...looked back & could not think of any issue....HAD been to ER ..in intervening yrs..with flu..etc...& had...MANY cardiac enzyme....draws (Troponin....etc ) ALL Negative !!
My dear friends here on HW..........as you can imagine..I was stunned/shocked& worried..!!!
He told me to relax...saying...it was a bit "Baffling" to him...as my "Heart function" numbers were good !
In his initial email--- before his cal...he discussed.."Possibility" of a catherization...BUT...then said...it was
"NOT necessary"...that it was (His words) "YOUR call....Richard !" (My real name-- got that goofy "Wotan" name---in college...cause of an exam answer I got wrong !--LOL)-
***I "Thought" he mentioned something (MAYBE wishfull thinking)...like "Did the contrast ..NOT penetrate...I don't know !" ---ALMOST like he was giving the...possibility....of a..."False positive" (IS...this possible..?? Anyone ever heard.. of it..?? )--& AGAIN said "YOUR call..? "
I finally asked..IF there was another test/study...NON invasive...he could suggest...
To my ...delight....he said..."YES....A cardiac CT scan...with contrast" (A rest that is short & non invasive ) YET..will show more...
I am scheduled..for next Wed (JAN 19th )....I WILL let everyone here know results...
What I...AM.........looking for from people here...are some answers YOU ..might know,,,like...
1) COULD that shadow on the stress EKG scan....NOT be any scar tissue..but..."Artifact".???
2) Could the upcoming Cardiac scan....give a "Good" outlook...like NO cath.is necessary,,& there is NO blockage of artery..??
Again..my Cardio....DID say....he did not know "Exactly" what this means...AND...(THIS...really surprised me )
Said....decision for a cath...Was ...MY call...!! (IS it possible for the tet to show an area..of "Suspeected scar"..& it,,.....NOT be...???
OK--That's it...
So...I kindly ask...ANY of the members here.....that have any idea..(Either from self experience..or a friend or relative )---That can..."Enlightenen " me & assuage..my fears/anxiety...!!!!
Do---PLEASE..get back--
I..Thank you...All...for reading this (Kinda verbose post ) & getting back..
Regards..
Richard