Question:
Has anyone had to have a Stress Test and then...
Hi everyone! I went to my pre-admission testing this morning and found out that I now have to have a stress test. The internal medicine dr (who I thought was kind of rude) said that he didn't like the fact that when I went up a few flights of stairs I got short of breath and had slight chest pains AND the fact that I have heart disease in my immediate family. I mean as far as I know the rest of my pre admission testing went fine, so I'm hoping this is just a precaution. Has anyone had a similar situation? What does the stress test intail? Does anyone know if there IS something wrong with my heart, will they cancel surgery? Any input at all would be most appreciated and helpful! Thanks again! — Patti M. (posted on April 26, 2006)
April 26, 2006
Patricia,
I had a similar thing happen to me, but my doctor was not rude, just doing
his job. My Mother passed away from Heart Disease and its rampent on her
side of the family. Plus, I too got short of breath when going up stairs
and walking short didtances. I beleive its a precautionary measure and one
that might protect the doctor from law suits. Not to mention, there could
be serious complications that can be avoided if they know what to expect
before you go into surgery.
I had my stress test and in spit of all I had going on, I passed it, had my
surgery and am doing fine. I pray all goes well for you and that I'll se
you on the Losing Side, real soon.
Hugs, Normie
— Normie
April 26, 2006
I can only speak about what happened to me, but I thought the same thing
when I found out I had to have a stress test. I knew my blood pressure was
high but checked with medication and I had heard terrible things about
stress tests, but I wanted the surgery, so I went to the Heart Institute
and took it. They hooked me up to all these things and then (without a
bra!) I had to walk on the treadmill and a couple of times they changed the
angle of it, but I did as much as I could and then told them to stop it and
they did. They also did some kind of dye injection and took all these
pictures from all these angles and while I found it interesting, I actually
fell asleep during part of it. The end results were nothing that would
stop me from having the surgery. I had it over a year ago, lost 112 pounds
so far and don't regret one moment. You just have to have faith that you
are doing the right thing. You don't want to get on the operating table
and then have them get into trouble with your heart. They are doing it for
you and your well-being. Just put your hands in God's hands and hand it
all over to the doctors. They know what is best. God bless and good luck!
— Carol M.
April 26, 2006
Me, too. I was so upset. I was so scared that this would stop everything.
But they need to see what shape your heart is in so they know what they
are dealing with when you are on the operating table. Just make sure that
you do tell them when you feel you are at your physical limit,. and they
will stop. I was proud and didn't want to admit I was getting winded, so
they took me right up to the maximum stress. My heart was fine, but it
took the starch out of me, I can tell you. Don't be afraid of being
exposed either. I was worried about that. Once they have the little
suction things on your chest, you have on a closed hospital gown you take
the test in. It closes across the front, so nothing is showing. Nothing
they do hurts either, so it is relatively painless. It just takes a long
time for each part, so don't plan on getting out of there for at least 3
hours. They xray your heart before, do the stress, and make you wait for
awhile before taking the xray again, so they see your heart before, during
and after. Then you wait for the doctor to come in and tell you how you
did. Hope that's a complete answer about the whole thing. Good luck!
— Jenny1
April 30, 2006
Relax, Patricia! I agree with all the other responders, it's just a
precaution! I didn't check your profile to get your BMI, but I had a
stress test done (because of hypochondria!) when I was almost 400 pounds.
They didn't bother with the treadmill, they went right to some kind of
injection that stresses the heart the same way climbing stairs does. I
just got to lie down and relax with the EKG leads in place. No big deal!
But just to put the mind at ease, there was a cardiologist present the
whole time, plus a crash cart in the corner, and this was done in a
hospital within shouting distance of an operating room. Just precautions!
Yes, I passed, and I'm sure you will too! And you'll be a skinny minnie
before you know it! Good luck, and I'll keep you in my prayers. --Mary
— mwilson523
May 1, 2006
Thank you to everyone who replied. I did pass with flying colors and am SO
looking forward to surgery next Thursday! Thanks again everyone!
— Patti M.
Click Here to Return