HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

I Took A Stress Test That Supposedly Showed A Blockage.

Posted on Wed, 19 Apr 2023

Question: I took a stress test that supposedly showed a blockage. I went for a heart XXXXXXX and they found no blockage and the cardiologist said my heart was fine. I had been prescribed daily 50mg metropolol and a baby aspirin for the week between the stress test and heart XXXXXXX Is there any reason I should continue taking these medications since no blockage was found?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on -Ask a Doctor- platform!

I understand your concern and would like to explain that your assumption is right.

As far as no coronary blockage is present and you haven't a diagnosis of coronary artery disease, it doesn't seem any rationale for Aspirin use.

Regarding Metoprolol, its use could be justified in the case of a trend for arrhythmia, a hyperdynamic heart condition (expressed with persistently fast heart rate). Otherwise, you should discuss with your prescribing doctor on the opportunity of a discontinuing it.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (9 minutes later)

Thank you for your response. I was trying to have finger surgery and so I needed a pre-op sign off from my PCP. They took an EKG and was abnormal (they didn't like part of the wave pattern). From there it went to the Stress test, which seems to have been a very poor test result for me showing what looked like heart blockage and that lead to the Heart XXXXXXX which showed I had no blockage. So in my mind I am back to square one for trying to have my finger surgery after having been poked, prodded, medicated, etc. over the past two weeks.

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 minute later)

Also I have never had chest pains or shortness of breath but every health professional I have met with in the past two weeks tried to get me to say that I did.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I actually don't have the exact picture of your EKG, though I can imagine that some nonspecific changes may have lead your doctor to require for your safety further clinical investigations.

Sometimes other non-cardiac factors may influence a certain EKG pattern and mimic a heart problem. In addition, a careful investigation of a hidden myocardial issue (other than coronary problems) may be indicated.

The end of that unpleasant two weeks story which fortunately turned to be a happy end is that your coronary arteries are normal.

Coming to this point, you shouldn't worry too much about this issue.

Wishing you good health!

Regards,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar