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Dr - 1. I Am 48 Years Old & Have
Question: Dr -
1. I am 48 years old & have a history of heart disease/heart attack/bypass surgery in my family
2. approximately 5 year ago I underwent several cardiac tests including Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test. The results were fine. My current LDL = 120 & other blood work is normal.
3. Last week I was experiencing upper back spasms. I also experienced radiating pain in my left pectoral/chest & left arm area. I went to the emergency room & they conducted blood work & explained that my symptoms were not cardiac but rather they were musculoskeletal.
4. The next night I awoke with severe pain in left arm & left pectoral/chest area. I spoke to another cardiologist & explained the situation & stated that these symptoms were not cardiac but rather musculoskeletal.
5. However, my cardiologist wants me to undergo another Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test & Calcium Chest CT Study.
6. I am concerned about the radiation exposure. Do you think I should undergo these tests? How much radiation will I be exposed to in these tests? How harmful is this radiation?
Thank you.
1. I am 48 years old & have a history of heart disease/heart attack/bypass surgery in my family
2. approximately 5 year ago I underwent several cardiac tests including Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test. The results were fine. My current LDL = 120 & other blood work is normal.
3. Last week I was experiencing upper back spasms. I also experienced radiating pain in my left pectoral/chest & left arm area. I went to the emergency room & they conducted blood work & explained that my symptoms were not cardiac but rather they were musculoskeletal.
4. The next night I awoke with severe pain in left arm & left pectoral/chest area. I spoke to another cardiologist & explained the situation & stated that these symptoms were not cardiac but rather musculoskeletal.
5. However, my cardiologist wants me to undergo another Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test & Calcium Chest CT Study.
6. I am concerned about the radiation exposure. Do you think I should undergo these tests? How much radiation will I be exposed to in these tests? How harmful is this radiation?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Approximate radiation doses are mentioned below,please confirm nuclear test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Approximate radiation exposure doses are mentione d below
Radiation dose from CT calcium scoring is 3 mSv.
Radiation dose from cardiac nuclear stress test (Technitium) is 9.4 mSv
Radiation dose from cardiac nuclear stress test (Thallium) is 40.7 mSv.
The radiation exposure from CT calcium scoring and cardiac nuclear test (Technitium) is low.
However the cardiac nuclear stress test (Thallium) has a relatively increased radiation dose.
I suggest you discuss the matter with your doctor then we can calculate the accurate information on the relative risk of harmful effects of radiation after taking the tests.
Regards,
Approximate radiation doses are mentioned below,please confirm nuclear test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Approximate radiation exposure doses are mentione d below
Radiation dose from CT calcium scoring is 3 mSv.
Radiation dose from cardiac nuclear stress test (Technitium) is 9.4 mSv
Radiation dose from cardiac nuclear stress test (Thallium) is 40.7 mSv.
The radiation exposure from CT calcium scoring and cardiac nuclear test (Technitium) is low.
However the cardiac nuclear stress test (Thallium) has a relatively increased radiation dose.
I suggest you discuss the matter with your doctor then we can calculate the accurate information on the relative risk of harmful effects of radiation after taking the tests.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr- I have modified some of the information I sent you last time:
1. Here is the information that you requested. I found out that my doctor has ordered a coronary computed tomography angiogram CTA. It's my understanding that this test will expose me to approximately 10 mSV. Is this correct?
2. My doctor also ordered a nuclear treadmill stress test. In This test they use a substance called Technetium/SESTAMIBI. It's my understanding that this test will expose me to approximately 20 mSV's. This is because the substance is injected into my bloodstream on two separate occasions. The first time I will receive this substance is at rest the second time I will receive it when I am on the treadmill. Is this correct?
3. Based upon this new information doctor, what type of risks will I be exposed to in your opinion? Will these test increase my likelihood of developing cancer in the future? Do you think it is worth the risk?
Thank you
1. Here is the information that you requested. I found out that my doctor has ordered a coronary computed tomography angiogram CTA. It's my understanding that this test will expose me to approximately 10 mSV. Is this correct?
2. My doctor also ordered a nuclear treadmill stress test. In This test they use a substance called Technetium/SESTAMIBI. It's my understanding that this test will expose me to approximately 20 mSV's. This is because the substance is injected into my bloodstream on two separate occasions. The first time I will receive this substance is at rest the second time I will receive it when I am on the treadmill. Is this correct?
3. Based upon this new information doctor, what type of risks will I be exposed to in your opinion? Will these test increase my likelihood of developing cancer in the future? Do you think it is worth the risk?
Thank you
Dr -
1. I just want to add this other information
2. The two test that I referred to in the above email are what my doctor has ordered
3. The half-life of the substance that is injected into me during the treadmill test - is six hours. I just want to let you know this to help you in your evaluation thank you
1. I just want to add this other information
2. The two test that I referred to in the above email are what my doctor has ordered
3. The half-life of the substance that is injected into me during the treadmill test - is six hours. I just want to let you know this to help you in your evaluation thank you
Brief Answer:
You are 99.86 percent safe and there is risk of 0.135 percent
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
There is a small dose correction as per the estimated dose exposure of the investigations
The Technitium scan can give you a dose of 10 mSv
The CT coronary angiography can give a dose of 15 mSv
The collective dose of the 2 tests is 25 mSv or at most 30 mSv.
The additional cancer risk calculated due to the above testing is 0.135 percent.
An there is a chance of 99.86 percent that there will be no significant health risk.
Regards,
You are 99.86 percent safe and there is risk of 0.135 percent
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
There is a small dose correction as per the estimated dose exposure of the investigations
The Technitium scan can give you a dose of 10 mSv
The CT coronary angiography can give a dose of 15 mSv
The collective dose of the 2 tests is 25 mSv or at most 30 mSv.
The additional cancer risk calculated due to the above testing is 0.135 percent.
An there is a chance of 99.86 percent that there will be no significant health risk.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr - thank you for this information.
However, how did you conclude that there is only a 0.135 % additional cancer risk?
What methods/process have you used to arrive at this conclusion ?
It was my understanding that the increased risk of cancer due to this testing would be more significant?
However, how did you conclude that there is only a 0.135 % additional cancer risk?
What methods/process have you used to arrive at this conclusion ?
It was my understanding that the increased risk of cancer due to this testing would be more significant?
Brief Answer:
Standard dose calculators have been used a from reliable sources
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have used standard dose calculators used for calculating radiation dose exposure available on the UC San XXXXXXX website and an educative site maintained by XXXXXXX Society of Radiologic Technologists.
From the above 2 sources, I have taken in to account the highest possible doses wjich you might be exposed to during the tests.
The cancer risk is calculated from multiple parameters and the radiation dose by complex mathematical calculations.
It is true that we tend to over estimate the cancer risk and that is why we need to have an awareness about radiation and the risk and benefit facts.
Regards,
Standard dose calculators have been used a from reliable sources
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have used standard dose calculators used for calculating radiation dose exposure available on the UC San XXXXXXX website and an educative site maintained by XXXXXXX Society of Radiologic Technologists.
From the above 2 sources, I have taken in to account the highest possible doses wjich you might be exposed to during the tests.
The cancer risk is calculated from multiple parameters and the radiation dose by complex mathematical calculations.
It is true that we tend to over estimate the cancer risk and that is why we need to have an awareness about radiation and the risk and benefit facts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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