37-Year-Old Woman Misdiagnosed After Repeated Chest Pain Nearly Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death, Doctor Warns: One Additional Test Can Save Lives
A 37-year-old woman in New York City experienced severe chest pain for several consecutive days and visited urgent care centers and emergency rooms three times. After blood tests and electrocardiograms (EKG) ruled out a heart attack, she was told her symptoms were likely caused by anxiety and was advised to rest at home. However, her chest pain never improved.
The woman later visited Dr. Michael Poon, former President of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and a cardiologist at Rendr. Although her EKG and echocardiogram results were still normal, Dr. Poon remained concerned and ordered a Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA). The results showed that one of the patient’s major coronary arteries was nearly completely blocked. She was immediately transferred to the hospital for an emergency cardiac catheterization procedure to restore blood flow. Following treatment, her symptoms significantly improved, and she has since recovered.
Why Heart Disease Is Often Overlooked
Many people assume that a “normal EKG” means the heart is healthy. According to Dr. Poon, that is not always the case.
Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease may include:
• Chest pain or chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Pain radiating to the stomach, shoulder, or arms
Women and older adults may experience more subtle symptoms, such as:
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Difficulty breathing
Because these symptoms can appear mild or atypical, they are often mistaken for anxiety, indigestion, or stress. Dr. Poon also emphasized that younger adults should not assume they are risk-free. He has seen patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease as young as 24 years old.
Individuals with the following risk factors should pay especially close attention to persistent symptoms:
• High blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol
• Smoking history
• Family history of heart disease
• Chronic stress or lack of sleep
• Abnormal EKG findings
Anyone experiencing ongoing chest pain or chest discomfort should seek medical evaluation promptly.
What Is CCTA?
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive imaging test used to evaluate coronary artery disease. Compared with traditional cardiac catheterization, CCTA offers several advantages:
• No anesthesia required
• Faster examination process
• Lower medical cost
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association now recommend CCTA as a Class 1, Level A test for patients with chest pain who do not have known coronary artery disease. An increasing number of Chinese American patients are also embracing this non-invasive advanced imaging approach. Currently, Rendr offers CCTA services in Manhattan Chinatown, Flushing, and Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. The number of CCTA scans ordered through Dr. Poon’s practice has increased from 1,199 cases in 2021 to 4,237 cases in 2025, more than tripling within four years.
Improving Accuracy Through an Integrated Workflow
Dr. Poon explained that a single CCTA scan may contain more than 2,000 images requiring careful interpretation. From 2021 to 2026, Dr. Poon personally interpreted 16,032 CCTA studies — of which 6,968 were from his own patients, expertly assisted by Andrew Youv, NP. Rather than relying on commercial AI platforms, he developed a specialized workflow that combines detailed image-by-image analysis with extensive clinical expertise and follow-up stress testing as needed to determine whether further invasive testing or treatment is necessary.
This integrated approach — from evaluating the patient, ordering the CCTA when appropriate, personally reading every scan, and coordinating follow-up testing or treatment — helps identify heart disease earlier, reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations, improve outcomes, and lower healthcare costs.