DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been ahving bilateral upper chest wall/muscular discomfort off and on for the last two years. After negative cardiac enzyme blood tests in the emergency room and a normal stress test, I was diagnosed with costochondritis (rib pain secondary to cartilage inflammation). I have no shortness of breath with activity, no radiating pain, nausea, or fatigue when I have these occasional episodes. The pain is normally reproducible when I press the area.

I have done research regarding the new technologist of CT angiography, which some state is better than regular angiography, especially for women, in detecting small-vessel cardiac blockage. It is also said to be safer than traditional angiographs. For my own peace of mind, I was wondering if this would be a valid test for me to have? If so, is it as good a diagnostic tool as a traditional angiogram, which is invasive and carries certain risks?
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