Is it necessary to have a nuclear stress test once a year following a heart attack?

Question

My husband's cardiologist wants him to have a nuclear stress test once a year for the rest of his life. He is 53. I have heard that they can be dangerous. Is this really necessary? Is there a better test for the heart?

Answer 1

Yes, there is no harm in doing an nuclear stress test also know as Thallium stress test. Other use myoview, a combination of Thallium and Tc99 to ensure myocardial status and coronary blood vessels.
It is not dangerous.
Yes, follow the advise of your husband's cardiologist.
It's an excellent test for myocardial/ coronary evaluation.
EBCT is recently introduced (Electron Beam Computerized Tomography) for early or undiagnosed cases of Angina/myocardial problems.

Answer 2

Absolutely needs to be done! Personally, I don't agree with the EBCT mentioned by the other doc who answered - they are not functional tests, meaning that although they show plaques in the arteries, they don't always identify "unstable" areas that can still cause a heart attack even if small. I think that the nuclear stress test is currently the best and safest test available.

Answer 3

I have never heard of this, I have had a heart attack, aortic valve re-placed and the only test my cardiologist recommends yearly is a echo. I have had the nuclear stress test before, but that was when i was getting ready for the valve to be re-placed. Ask the Doctor why this is necessary, I do not think it will hurt him either way.

Answer 4

this could o.k. purely be habitual. despite if an echo comes returned everyday, a stress attempt ought to instruct signs and warning signs that an echo would not see yet (shortness of breath, decreased working ability and different issues). usually medical doctors communicate issues like this man or woman because of the fact usually if human beings get effects at domicile they won't totally understand them or have questions that arise. do no longer difficulty too plenty, it ought to become no longer something

Answer 5

I have had a four way CABG and two stints but never heard of a nuclear stress test once year, have had one in ten years/