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Does TMT Show False Positives For Heart Failure?
Question: I have done TMT and passed through no angina/chest pain though DR termed it as positive TMT. Advised to carry on walking and exercise and yoga . if any chest pain in future then go for angiogram.
Brief Answer:
Further investigation will clarify
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
If TMT (Treadmill Exercise ECG) suggests ischemia, it is an indication for further work up – because at times, there may be false positive or false negatives.
You need to be investigated for Coronary Artery Disease.
There are two things to do –
One is TMT with thallium isotope. It is the ideal non-invasive way to evaluate ischemia / to assess the PHYSIOLOGY (function) – to see whether the blood arriving at the heart muscle.
The other is to see the ANATOMY (structure) – undergo catheterisation and coronary angiography with a view for possible intervention… especially, if the thallium stress test is also positive. It is the only way to directly ‘see’ the block, if any – and its location, extent, severity and so on. Coronary arteriography is invasive but it is the gold standard for this. CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy. If positive, she will need catheterisation, anyway.
The aim of any investigation is to modify the treatment, based on the result.
In the meantime, take antiplatelet drugs like aspirin / and get investigated for risk factors like Cholesterol.
Follow up with your treating doctor – he will request further investigations and give appropriate prescription…
Good luck
God bless you
Further investigation will clarify
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
If TMT (Treadmill Exercise ECG) suggests ischemia, it is an indication for further work up – because at times, there may be false positive or false negatives.
You need to be investigated for Coronary Artery Disease.
There are two things to do –
One is TMT with thallium isotope. It is the ideal non-invasive way to evaluate ischemia / to assess the PHYSIOLOGY (function) – to see whether the blood arriving at the heart muscle.
The other is to see the ANATOMY (structure) – undergo catheterisation and coronary angiography with a view for possible intervention… especially, if the thallium stress test is also positive. It is the only way to directly ‘see’ the block, if any – and its location, extent, severity and so on. Coronary arteriography is invasive but it is the gold standard for this. CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy. If positive, she will need catheterisation, anyway.
The aim of any investigation is to modify the treatment, based on the result.
In the meantime, take antiplatelet drugs like aspirin / and get investigated for risk factors like Cholesterol.
Follow up with your treating doctor – he will request further investigations and give appropriate prescription…
Good luck
God bless you
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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