Almost 5 years ago I had some shortness of breath and a few weeks later, I had the joy of experiencing a couple of cardiac cath operatons, an angioplasty and the installation of two stents in my left anterior descending artery (this is a popular spot for stents: they call it the widdow maker). I never had a heart attack and have been symptom free since then. However, to regain my FAA medical, I have to undergo a thalium stress test every January and forward the results to the flight surgeons in Oklahoma. Although this is an expensive proposition each year, I figured that it was the price I had to pay to aviate.
Today, I saw my cardiologist for a followup visit after my annual thalium stress test. He told me that my results were fine and that I should not need another test for about 4 or 5 years unless I have more symptoms. I reminded him that I needed the test every year for the FAA and he was visibly upset. He said that such an invasive test was not medically indicated and that each time I took it, they injected enough radioactive stuff in me to equal about 100 chest x-rays. Cripes-Amighty!
Has anyone else had this experience with the FAA? My case might be a little different because I acquired an abnormal EKG after my stents (about 13% of post stent patients get this lucky trait). Is there any way I can avoid this costly and glowing requirement each year?
Today, I saw my cardiologist for a followup visit after my annual thalium stress test. He told me that my results were fine and that I should not need another test for about 4 or 5 years unless I have more symptoms. I reminded him that I needed the test every year for the FAA and he was visibly upset. He said that such an invasive test was not medically indicated and that each time I took it, they injected enough radioactive stuff in me to equal about 100 chest x-rays. Cripes-Amighty!
Has anyone else had this experience with the FAA? My case might be a little different because I acquired an abnormal EKG after my stents (about 13% of post stent patients get this lucky trait). Is there any way I can avoid this costly and glowing requirement each year?