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Question:
Am I likely to have a heart attack because of impaired coronary reserve?
After having a perfusion scan, I have been told that although my heart itself is strong and not enlarged, I have impaired coronary reserve. I don't know if this means I will have a heart attack or not. My doctor says we will work on risk minimization by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. Am I likely to have a heart attack from this condition? I would appreciate an answer. Thank you.
submitted by Margaret from Australia on 2/19/2014
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Michael J. Mihalick, MD
Dear Margaret,
In my opinion, this is a problem of semantics. I don't know exactly what is meant by 'impaired coronary reserve' either, and have never used that phrase to explain a test to a patient without also explaining what it meant. I recommend that you ask your cardiologist to explain this in a way that it makes sense to you. If he can't, you should seek a second opinion.
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Updated February 2014
