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Chest Pain - Frequently Asked Questions
by Professor Avijit Lahiri MB,BS,MSc,MRCP,FACC,FESC Consultant Cardiologist & Director of the Cardiac Imaging and Research Centre at The Wellington Hospital.
Article last updated: March 23rd 2010
Who should have a CT Scan? :Patients who have any of the following:
• Chest pain - differential diagnosis of heart disease (rule-out heart disease)
• Atypical symptoms - suggestive of heart disease
• Abnormal ECG or Stress test with inconclusive diagnosis
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High risk individuals with multiple risk factors (diabetes, high
cholesterol, family history of heart disease, smoker with abnormal test
results and a high suspicion of coronary artery disease)
• Follow up patients with known heart disease, e.g. evaluation of bypass grafts etc
• Other indications
If I have chest pain what should I do?
1.
Sudden onset of chest pain associated with shortness of breath and
sweating may be a potentially life threatening situation and patients
must call 999 and go directly to an emergency health care centre
2. Other forms of chronic or mild chest pain or ‘cardiac sounding’ symptoms -
Dual-source
CT coronary angiogram provides a robust, rapid and accurate diagnosis.
This can be performed rapidly at CIRC and experts will be able to
provide a rapid diagnosis of heart disease
3. Other indications - See above
How can I get to see you and your team at CIRC?You can be referred to CIRC by your own physician, often you may be required to ask specifically since these techniques are new and evolving and many GPs are still unaware of the risk-benefits, OR you can call our help line (+44 (0)207 483 5062) or check the website (www.heart-scan.co.uk) and seek advice from the experts at CIRC. Alternatively - please click here for our simple online form.
What other areas of heart disease should I be aware of? Heart
disease is often associated with a cluster of risk factors: e.g. family
history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
diabetes, smoking, obesity, inactivity, males over 40 and females over
50. Early assessment and management will have clear long-term benefits
on health. We at CIRC are able to provide consultant led advice.
Research Clinical Imaging & Research Centre & The British Cardiac Research TrustA
team of expert doctors, technologists and nurses at CIRC are also
engaged in the highest quality and innovative research which has gained
the team, both national and International recognition.
Contact Professor Lahiri
If you wish to find out more about the Research programmes please contact Professor Avijit Lahiri. Or read his article Chest Pain Cardiac or Not.
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