myocardiac scintigraphy

My DD's father had a fatal heart attack when he was a relatively young man. It terrifies me that my DD is coming close to the age he was when he died and yet I don't want to frighten her. Could you tell me if this is a test for people like my DD TriciaF ?

Gillybob, I think you can get examinations and the like for children or siblings of people who have died unexpectedly from an illness, especially if others in the family have suffered from similar problems.

Bowel cancer runs in DDiL's father's family. He died at 40 from the disease and DDiL, as well as regular stool tests, also had some genetic tests to assess her chances of developing it. In her case, thankfully, only average.

My GDs (5&7) have a thorough heart check every year at Great Ormand Street. The elder one has just had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours and we're awaiting the results. You might want to suggest a check up for your DD just as a precaution, I'm sure she's aware that her father died young isn't she?

I had this test in January , it involved no caffeine for 24 hours beforehand ( including chocolate) only water or fruit juice. I had to take off my top/jumper but had a gown.I then had adrenaline injected whilst hooked up to a heart monitor the injection was for 6 minutes - at the half way stage an isotope solution was injected into my bloodstream to facilitate the later heart scan. If I am honest it wasn't a very comfortable procedure I was laying down and whilst the adrenaline was being injected in my arm I felt hot and 'uncomfortable ' also had a tight feeling around the back of my neck. I wasn't in any pain and had three nurses looking after me and monitoring the machine. I did ask why I had not been put on a treadmill to assess stress/movement/exercise on my heart and they said it wasn't as reliable as the test I was having. That procedure lasted about 15 minutes , I then went off had some refreshments.An hour later I then had the heart scan which involved laying down and having a smallish camera scan my heart from different angles outside of my clothes. Half an hour later all done ,no pain ,mildish discomfort with the adrenaline injection. The only issue is that twelve weeks later I am still waiting for the results!

Yes Anya my daughter can remember her father. Although she was young when he died. I have hinted (stupid I know) that she should get tested but she was never been offered a test of any kind and I don't want to worry her now. How could I broach the subject without scaring her though M0nica ? She has had a lot to contend with in the last few years.

My husband (he is 64) had one of these scans last year, part of a check up 10 years post-heart attack. He also had the no -caffeine etc. prep the day before. He spent the best part of the day of the scan in the hospital, luckily he took a book to read, he said it was "bit boring" and "tedious" but not at all uncomfortable.

The best part was the reassurance of getting the "all clear" result. He also had to ask for it by the way (weeks passed).

I just find it amazing that this level of state-of-the-art care is available on the NHS.

All the best for your test.

Thanks - I'm not looking forward to it. Husband wants to come with me, he'll be bored to tears.
I usually just have a stress test on the bike, but yesterday I couldn't manage it - knees wouldn't allow.
I should be grateful really that these tests are available.

I had this a couple of years ago and it was fine. The injection that simulates exercising and makes the heart beat faster lasts a relatively short time and they do give you a nice cup of tea afterwards. The heart scan was fine, didn't like the camera so close to my face but the radiographer told me just to close my eyes and I would be fine.

Good luck with the test TriciaF hope all goes well

I have had quite a few MRI's over the years and its the claustrophobia that bothers me (more than the banging) If I can keep my eyes tight shut I am okay but its hard when you are stuck in there for what seems ages.

Oh no! I didn't realise it involved MRI!
Don't think about it.

My husband didn't have an MRI when he had the investigation mentioned in the OP, I think that gilly is talking tangentially about MRIs...

Oh. Sorry TriciaF I'm not sure it does. I only brought up the MRI thing in response to harri mentioning the camera being so close to her face. Hope I haven't upset/worried you unnecessarily . A thousand apologies.

Thanks. Grannyknot.

It's ok gillybob - I don't know why I'm getting so het up about the whole thing, not just the MRI (if it is that.)
I just hate hospital appts in general.
Husband insists on driving me, when the hospital is far away in Toulouse and I could get a taxi paid for by our health provider, it will be rushhour too - help!

An update - after a very early start everything went well. There were various procedures before the actual test, which just involved me lying on my front on a bed for 15 mins. I don't think the camera even passed over me.
Then back to the waiting room and 10 mins later the Doctor came and told me all was fine TG and we could go home !
So it was 2 hours - 9.30 to 11.30.
I was told if there had been any doubts I would have had to come back for a retest in the afternoon.
So grateful for the wonderful care here.