Question 1

Is it possible to have a heart attack even if my echocardiogram is normal?

Accepted Answer

There is no test which if normal guarantees that you will not get a heart attack. And the echocardiogram is not good for predictiong a heart attack anyway.

Question 2

Severe anxiety. echocardiogram,ekg,stress ,all normal. what's the worst than can come from my palpitations?18 in good shape.can i have a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

Palpitations are an awareness of extra heartbeats which most of us have. The sensation can be single or multiple and can sometimes last minutes. Different people may feel other symptoms along with them such as dizzy, lightheaded or short of breath. The palpitations are almost always atrial or ventricular premature beats. Usually benign but they are also found with abnormal hearts.

Question 3

Can you be having a heart attack if you echocardiogram looks normal?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram can indirectly suggest the possibility of a heart attack, but can also be more or less normal after a small heart attack. Its primary use is not to diagnose a heart attack, but to look a things like the function of the heart muscle and the heart valves and to examine the hearts internal anatomy. Ecg and certain blood tests are the primary tests for diagnosing a heart attack.

Question 4

What is the sensitivity of ekgs, echocardiograms, and cardiac mris for detecting previous heart attacks? would a normal echocardiogram signal good prognosis in the event of a previous heart attack?

Accepted Answer

A normal Echo usually means the valves and pumping action of your heart is normal.  However you would need a stress test and nuclear scan of your heart to see if the circulation in your heart is normal, and to see if you have any evidence of a heart attack. Good luck!

Question 5

What is the likelihood of a 27 year old female having a heart attack or arrest? chest pains but ct, ekg, echocardiogram, and echo stress test normal?

Accepted Answer

The chance that a young woman has a heart attack is pretty low. Add to that a normal stress test, that makes the risk even lower.

Question 6

Had a clear echocardiogram 3 years ago, no blocked arteries. could i have blocked my arteries enough to have a heart attack now?

Accepted Answer

Echo study done with or without EXERCISE ? If it was a "stress echo" that was negative , congrats, the chances of signicant "PREMATURE" coronary disease 3 years later is quite small...A "plain" echo is less useful in detecting coronary insufficiency and is done for STRUCTURAL reasons (Heart valves etc) It can pick up OLD cardiac injuries.
I hope this helps!
Dr Z

Question 7

Can u have a heart attack from a blockage in a carotid or peripheral artery? would a stress echocardiogram show blockages in coronary, carotid and peripheral arteries?

Accepted Answer

Stress echocardiogram specifically tests heart function.  CAT scanning, MRI, and arteriograms are used to look at carotids, and other arteries directly.  Doppler techniques screen indirectly.

Question 8

Can an echocardiogram be the cause of a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

An echocardiogram is just a test, an ultrasound of the heart. There are no side effects.

Question 9

I have intense anxiety.  my chest feels very tight and achy.  i feel shaky.  am i having a heart attack?  have had ecgs and echocardiogram.

Accepted Answer

Sorry, when you list CAD as a diagnosis you actually have, then while you may actually be all anxiety driven, we can't give you reassurance. You need to discuss your status with your own physician and get your situation clarified.

Question 10

What does an echocardiogram detect? i know its for diagnosing heart disease, but what kind? can it tell if i have blocked arteries or damage from a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

An echocardiogram is a procedure that uses high frequency ultrasound waves to evaluate your heart.Typically it will assess:
â€¢ the size of your heart: the size of the pumping chambers, as well as the thickness of the heart muscle
â€¢ pumping strength: how well is your heart pumping blood
â€¢ valve problems: an echocardiogram can determine whether your valves leak or if they do
not open properly
â€¢ problems inside the chamber of the heart: this test can help determine if you have a blood clot or tumor inside the chambers of your heart
â€¢ the walls between the different chambers of the heart (looking for holes in the walls)

it can show if you have had a prior heart attack but cannot look directly at the arteries for blockage. A stress test, either a stress echocardiogram or a nuclear stress test, will show you if you have significantly (typically >70%) blockage and can confirm evidence of old heart attack.

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Is it possible to have a heart attack even if my echocardiogram is normal