PET Scan results -total ischemic burden 4%

[Health20232024]

I just got the results of my PET Scan and it was "total ischemic burden 4%". My cardiologist said "we start to worry when it is 10%. It must be a false positive. If that was a true result you would be feeling like there was an elephant on your chest."

He didn't go into any further explanations. So I went home and tried to figure out what this all means.

Google said it meant reduced blood flow to the heart so it gets less oxygen due to clogged artery.

Well needless to say this scared me and I didn't understand just how serious the problem is.

Google said two things that went against what the cardiologist said. 1. PET Scans are highly accurate and rarely have false positives. 2. There is such a thing as "silent" ischemia where you don't have any symptoms.

Bottom line is that I have no idea what the true status of

my heart oxygen and clogged artery is. And I've lost trust in my cardiologist. He should have told me that we will do a new test to get the accurate results. And then if the 4% is accurate he should have worked with me to plan my treatment be it bypass surgery, stent or what is needed.

I plan to call his office tomorrow and ask for an appointment to get answers and a plan. But I am concerned that he will take offense at my questioning. I also plan to get on the patient portal to view my records and also go to the office and get copies of all my records. Then I plan to change doctors to another clinic unless by some miracle he really comes through for me.

I can't believe he left me hanging like this. And I would love any feedback anyone has. Thank you so much.

[Fanfab1]

hello

Everyone is entitled to a second opinion and a good doctor should not feel offended.

A polite and well presented list of questions should not cause offence although my view is them that are wrong are usually the people that get offended the most!

The other actions your taking sound good.

Something that struck me - if false or true if it’s still 4% then it’s still below their threshold of 10% and therefore per your cardiologist reckoning doesn’t warrant treatment? But you’ve lost faith which I totally understand and a second opinion will help.

Some might say google is a bad idea but I think it’s a good thing assuming the info you get is from a bone fide / reliable source. I’d have nothing on my condition if it weren’t for google as BHF has zilch on it last time I looked.

good luck!

[Health20232024 in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you for your help. I should have mentioned that the higher the percentage the better so I'm below the normal point of concern.

[Happyrosie]

I assume you live in the UK? In which case you should already have full access to your medical records already . If you haven’t, then talk to the receptionists, who will help you access them.

[Health20232024 in reply to Happyrosie]

I live in Tucson. Arizona, USA but yes I have access to my records and I'm on the case. Thanks much for your input

[fishonabike in reply to Happyrosie]

in UK not everyone has full access to their health records - it depends on:

whether or not your health service has allowed full access online

whether you have internet access and are signed up to the relevant service

whether the records have been digitised and uploaded

in theory we are entitled to access but we don't all have it in practice!

[Happyrosie in reply to fishonabike]

oh I’m sorry! I’ve had mine for many years and assumed that everyone could access them (once they’ve registered their needs with the practice) . So some practices don’t allow this?

[Happyrosie in reply to Happyrosie]

To add to my previous note - certainly the NHS website implies that anyone can access (though possibly not older records]. I well remember the digitising being done nationally in about 2006 or 2007.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Happyrosie]

We're you looking at NHS England's website?

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland health is the responsibility of each devolved government.

In England patients are automatically sent copies of clinic letters sent to a GP, this doesn't happen in Scotland

[Happyrosie in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes was looking at NHS England and it says records are there.

[Health20232024 in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes I will get further medical records. Some of the information I do not understand

[fishonabike in reply to Happyrosie]

in practices they seem to be able to choose what they allow you to access, and it depends on how much they have digitised

also different health authorities have different systems to allow access to hospital generated records

it is not uniform across the country as far as i know, and i doubt that this will be achieved soon

🫤

[Happyrosie in reply to fishonabike]

Ok thanks for this!!

[Health20232024 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you

[Health20232024 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you for your help

[Sljp0000]

I would be asking for an angiogram instead of a PET scan. That way they can see exactly what the blood flow is doing in which arteries and can stent at the same time if necessary.

[Health20232024 in reply to Sljp0000]

Thanks so much for your suggestion. That is an excellent idea

[Alfie33]

I have ischeamic heart disease . Mine is caused by my heart been damaged due to a heart attack. But its the same symptoms as you. It leaves me totally breathless. Also iv asked for more information as iv been left clueless

[Health20232024 in reply to Alfie33]

Thank you. Yes it's so important for us patients to know what is going on with our own health

[chesson]

I was intrigued by the statement that a 4% ischemic burden needed treatment. I always thought that the higher the % the bigger the problem. 4% seems low. Check out this study, it might help clarify your situation: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Best. Peter

[Health20232024 in reply to chesson]

Thanks so much for your information. I bet you are right. I am confused. My cardiologist said the 4% must be a false positive because if it was true I'd feel like there was an elephant sitting on my chest. I will try to get an appointment with him to clarify. Renee