stress test & echo ?

I had my stress test and echocardiogram for my clearance and to my surprise the doc said my stress test showed photos where there was a blocked artery underneath the heart, and a possible heart attack. I am only 32 and wouldn't I know if I had a heart attack?? But the nurse told me it could be because I have large breast and it can have a false reading. Has anyone had this experience, especially someone with large breast? If so what happened? The doc said he is going to give me the clearance but that my surgeon might want him to do a cath to fix it before the surgery... This was my last clearence and now I am afraid the surgen might say, yes lets fix it and that would make the wait longer..I just don't know ? If anyone has gone through this let me know.. Thanks a bunch Robin

Robin, Boy oh boy, can I talk to you about this... I went thru the same scare all this month, had my cath done yesterday and thank god it was a false positive, my breast was creating a shadow in the pics. Unfortunately, my cardiologist never said anything about there being such thing as a false positive, so I had been anticipating the worst and was SO RELIEVED when I got the news at the hospital yesterday. I could have kissed the doctor, LOL! This was my last step to getting approval too, so I know exactly how you feel right now. I had to have the cath because my surgeon said he wouldn't perform the surgery until we both knew I had no heart problems, that would just create more risks and make the surgery and recovery harder on me. What a blessing to know that although I am obese, I still have a healthy heart. If you have any specific questions about the process or anything, feel free to email me directly since it is so fresh in my mind. Chin up, Amy [email protected]

Amy, Remember I told you it would feel like you peed your pants when they injected in the dye contrast, and the room would be freezin' cold. Well? Glad everything is OK. Now you can move on. Take care, margaret

P.S. Don't you feel better now that you know for 100% sure. I'm so happy for the great outcome. I wasn't so lucky, but they fixed the problems with surgery, and I'm alive. That's all that counts. Thank God for caths, they tell the whole truth. margaret

Margaret, Oh my, were you right about how you described the sensation and it being cold. My poor mother and sister were popsicles waiting for me all day. To be honest, I had two anxiety attacks while there, one in pre-op, I was a sweaty mess and was so glad it was cold in there cause I couldnt stop the hot waves and the other one happened on the table, they gave me more sedation to calm me down. I had my cath done in my wrist, my thighs are too big, but I was happy to not expose myself to the world that way, especially since I really needed to shave my legs LOL. The funniest part of the day was dying to go potty and refusing to use the bedpan, so finally after two hours of misery and pleading, they tied up my gown, slipped on some booties and let me go to the restroom. I think I had the biggest smile on my face at that moment. Anyway, I am SO happy with the outcome and can't wait for the future. Today, I went and got a new haircut and color to treat myself and kind of honor my healthy heart. This month has been a heck of a scare and reality check for me. Thanks for all your support! Amy

I know it is a great set back but wouldn't you want to make sure your arteries and heart were ok before surgery. YOu don't want to become a WLS statistic. Good luck to you.

Robin, It's better to clear up any doubts, Your heart comes first. I had open-heart and I am so lucky I had a doc who had a really aggressive attitude with my treatment. Why is your cardiologist giving you clearance for major surgery if a blocked artery was detected.? His next proticol would be to order a Cath, not your bariatric Surgeon? If your cardiologist has doubts then the only way to rule any problems would be to do a cath. This is why your bariatric surgeon sent you to a cardiologist in the first place. He is a Specialist. My cath saved my life, is your doctor willing to sign off on this clearance, I'd get his John Hand**** if he is so sure it's a false positive. Best Wishes, margaret

Hello, Thanks for the reply.. Well the cardiologist was kind of unsure and held up my shirt and said it's probably your breast,,,with the weird look on his face, and he said I am going to clear you but your surgeon might want you to get a cath first. See I am new to this heart thing and I was just taking in all that he was saying. I think he should do a cath because he cannot say for sure yes or no she does or does not have a blockage. So I am kind of confused. I am wondering what my doctor, Dr. Szomstein is going to say to this. If he will let it pass or require a cath to be done?? I wont find out until later next week. Robin

yes, it is true about your breast shadowing your heart. I went today to my cardio doc and I read it in a pamphlet that I got from the doc's office while waiting to get called in.