Nuclear stress test

[Squeak3]

My cardio wants me to have a nuclear stress test to see if a blockage is causing my afib. I have just had a squamous cancer excised and have numerous precancerous actinic keratosis. I am concerned about having the test done because of the radioactive injections. I have no angina or shortness of breath with exercise and doubt that there are blockages. Should I have the test? Your thoughts , please.

[Sean711]

I would get a second opinion from a different cardiologist. My initial cardiologist wanted me to get a nuclear stress test. I was diagnosed with paramoxial a-fib and was monitored in a hospital for 2 and a half days. Nothing really indicated heart disease or anything like that. I searched and got a second opinion from my current cardiologist who came highly recommended. He didn't want me to get a nuclear stress test, he sent me for a coronary ct scan to check for blockages and calcification, my score came back 0. Which I was happy with. I actually just had the Pulse Field Ablation performed by my EP cardiologist. From arrival to departure it took approximately 6 hours for the Pulse Field Ablation..

[Sandrahrh1 in reply to Sean711]

I am curious about the pulse field ablation. Have you ever had a standard ablation. I have a consult for a pulse field ablation but have had a few standard ablations. Did not know if I would be a candidate for pulse field. How are you? Has it controlled your rhythm?

[Sean711 in reply to Sandrahrh1]

I just had it Wednesday and was my first ever ablation. Everything went well except, about 8 hours after the procedure my left side groin area where they enter started to bleed. I went to the emergency room. They did blood work, ultrasound, and rebandage. Luckily the bleeding was minor and the ultrasound didn't pickup anything of concern according to the Dr.. I recommend when you go to bed the night of the procedure to set an alarm about every few hours and just do a quick inspection to make sure everything is ok. You don't want to be sleeping and bleed. Other then that I feel ok. Some flutter every once in a while. But I understand this is expected after the procedure up to 90 days.

[Sean711]

If you decide to get an ablasion, if you are overweight I highly recommend losing the weight before the procedure. This helps with ensuring a better outcome with this a-fib. I lost 30 pounds for the procedure, I have 10 pounds to go. I will never go back to being overweight if I can help it. Sounds like you are in good physical shape. Wish you the best.

[FraserB]

I can understand your hesitation considering what you've just been diagnosed. Doctors only order this test when the benefits (like detecting heart blockages) outweigh any potential risks and the radiation can be low. But if you have no major heart symptoms, it may be worth asking about radiation-free alternatives like an ultrasound-based stress test or CT scan instead. You can ask the doctor how urgent the heart/afib concerns are versus the goal of minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.