False positive on chemical stress test?

tachlime · 04-27-2007, 11:44 PM

I'm going through the pre-op testing in preparation for banding May 10. Today I had a chemical stress test. The cardiologist said the EKG portion looked great, and they would call with the results of the pictures. He warned me that in obese patients there are frequently "false positive" results. Sure enough, I got a call mid-afternoon by the doctor reading the tests who said there was a possibility of a small blockage, and that they only way to determine for sure if there is a blockage or if it is a false positive is to perform a cardiac catheterization. Has this happened to anyone else in band land? I've researched the cardiac cath and it sounds like it's major testing and more down time, and likely will push back my band date if I can't get one scheduled quickly. I'm very frustrated. Any insight, anyone?

:help:

WASaBubbleButt · 04-27-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tachlime

I'm going through the pre-op testing in preparation for banding May 10. Today I had a chemical stress test. The cardiologist said the EKG portion looked great, and they would call with the results of the pictures. He warned me that in obese patients there are frequently "false positive" results. Sure enough, I got a call mid-afternoon by the doctor reading the tests who said there was a possibility of a small blockage, and that they only way to determine for sure if there is a blockage or if it is a false positive is to perform a cardiac catheterization. Has this happened to anyone else in band land? I've researched the cardiac cath and it sounds like it's major testing and more down time, and likely will push back my band date if I can't get one scheduled quickly. I'm very frustrated. Any insight, anyone?

:help:

Are you referring to when they inject a drug into your IV to produce the effects of lots of exercise? If so, can you redo the test and request that you run your heart out on a treadmill instead? That can make somewhat of a difference. It's better than a cardiac cath.