Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
Can a man have a problem with his heart that doesn't show up on a nuclear stress test?
The reason I ask is because about 3 weeks ago in the middle of the night, I had pain and pressure in my chest, left arm and the left side of my neck and face. I know I should have gone to the ER but all I did was chew two low dose aspirin. I finally went to my family doctor three days later. Because of my disability, he did a nuclear stress test. It came back negative. I get short of breath easily and am having chest pain and tightness right now. Any help would be great.
submitted by Michael from Iowa on 4/27/2014
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, Denton A. Cooley, MD
There are angina-producing conditions which can occur without structural changes in the coronary circulation. Some are related to spasm in the heart muscle or capillaries. It is important that you follow up with your physician to discern the origin of your symptoms.
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Updated April 2014
