so after my CT scan results of calcium score of 0 but me still concerned over blockages from soft plaque and strong family history of CAD but didn't do full scan with dye due to high HR so I asked if I could have full scan again my cardiologist has suggested i have a Dobutamine stress echocardiogram instead.
whats people's experience of this test?does it pick up blockages or narrowing of the arteries?
hello. This might help explain why one is done:
rbht.nhs.uk/our-services/do...
I have non obstructive coronary artery disease, that means I have stenosis but not enough to cause a traditional blockage that requires stents. But I have a congenital heart defect called a myocardial bridge where the LAD runs through my heart not on the surface like normal so gets compressed. I have angina symptoms and next step is dobutamine stress test not to look at blockage but what the heart does on exertion. I’ve been told if current med not working on symptoms (which it is not) then they will look to do this test.
Hope helps. I suggest you go back to your cardiologist and ask why they are doing the test in your particular case. They should explain what the purpose of a test is I.e. what are they trying to find out or exclude.
they are trying to find out if I have CAD or not as I have angina symptoms so wondered if this stress test picks up on blockages
I believe angina can be due to other things as well as or instead of blockages I.e. whatever affects blood flow. Non obstructive issues can cause angina too. It’s not as well known but it is real - non obstructive coronary artery disease / angina with non obstructed coronary arteries.
Stress echocardiogram 
Stress echocardiogram done ✅ 
Echocardiogram
echocardiogram 
