Re: Stress Test

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

Dont they also inject a chemical into you with IV when also have a treadmill test, my mom said that was the worst day of her life because they had so much trouble getting the IV in her and it was so painful.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

On 3/11/2015 Shelbelle said:
Dont they also inject a chemical into you with IV when also have a treadmill test, my mom said that was the worst day of her life because they had so much trouble getting the IV in her and it was so painful.

I think they do, I don't remember. They do attach a whole lot of wires to your body, similar to a regular EKG that's usually done in an ER. There is no IV.

The chemical they inject into you via IV in an echocardiogram is a dye they trace on a monitor.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

If one is having a treadmill Stress Echo-cardiogram, and I have had several, they first do an Echo "prior" to getting on the treadmill. This is done so the "resting Echo" ca be compared to the Max Attainable heart rate values reached during the treadmill portion of the test. There way always a bed close to the treadmill so the "post exercise" heart rate could hopefully be long enough to be close to the Max Heart Rate reached during the testing.

In all of these particular Stress Echo's I have taken, the "contrasting Material" is given as follows: It is explained before the start of the test that the patient signals the Administrators when they feel "they can only continue for 1 minute until exhaustion", at that time the Contrasting Material is released into the blood stream via the IV.

They want the patient to then continue for a Minimum of that 1 minute at that or a higher Heart Rate. They stop the treadmill when the patient tells, or signals them that they have reached exhaustion. Immediately the Echo is started to render the comparative "Pre and Post" results. That is exactly how the Treadmill Stress Echo's I have had were done. The contrasting materials were never an issue for me in any of these procedures.

hckynut(john)

brittnany · ‎08-13-2010

I had a problem with Afib about a month ago and had to go to the ER. Stayed a couple of days and had lots of tests done as this was the first time this had happened. Thought I was having a regular stress test donehowever when I got downstairs I was told that I had misunderstood. They explained everything and told me they would tell me everything that was happening throughout the test. It was not comfortable but did not last that long just about 4 minutes. It's not something I want to do again any time soon but it is not really painful. Hope yours goes well!

ozarkgirl · ‎03-12-2010

Well I am back the day after and I have a story to tell. We left for the test in plenty of ti,e but we had a flat tire on the highway. Not knowing how long that would take I called the hospital and they rescheduled for March 30th. Really felt bad because I wanted to get it over with but I was in no shape to rush to get there and then go thru the test. I told the guy on the phone I was having a stress test in the car and he could come out there and check me out. Ha. So now I can again wait for 2 more weeks. Thanks for all your prior comments

betteb · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/18/2015 ozarkgirl said:
Well I am back the day after and I have a story to tell. We left for the test in plenty of ti,e but we had a flat tire on the highway. Not knowing how long that would take I called the hospital and they rescheduled for March 30th. Really felt bad because I wanted to get it over with but I was in no shape to rush to get there and then go thru the test. I told the guy on the phone I was having a stress test in the car and he could come out there and check me out. Ha. So now I can again wait for 2 more weeks. Thanks for all your prior comments

Thanks for the update. Try not to worry about it between now and the 30th.

It's God's job to judge the terrorists. It's our mission to arrange the meeting. U.S. Marines

ivey · ‎03-10-2010

I've had 2 of the chemical stress tests. You do have a weird feeling because it speeds up your heart quickly, but it is very short lived.

The one I had last year--they've changed the chemical. (Sorry, I can't remember the name.) But it was mild compared to the first one I had. The doctor, technicians, etc. are all right there, so they are monitoring constantly. Also, before I started the test, they prepared a big cup of coffee for me to drink immediately afterward. Their explanation was that it helps dilate the arteries back to normal more quickly. They made me drink the entire cup of lukewarm coffee! Gave me something else to focus on!

Any discomfort from the test goes away fast.

Anglophilly · ‎01-05-2012

Ozarkgirl, I'm getting an echo and PET Stress test on the 30th. I'll be thinking about you and hoping for good outcomes for both of us. Wear comfy clothes and think happy thoughts during the "photography" session.

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

On 3/11/2015 Ford1224 said:
I had a chemically induced stress echocardiogram about three years ago (I don't know the name of the chemical they used). I couldn't do a treadmill stress echo (as I had done several times prior) because of my back fractures/osteoporosis and RA issues.

About five minutes into it, I began feeling pain in my middle chest, throat and jaw. I told the doctor about it and his back was turned to me, so I thought he had not heard me. The pain was quickly worsening, so I yelled "I'm having pain!!" He turned around looking annoyed and took his time injecting the antidote into the IV. That took a minute or two (it felt like forever) to reverse my symptoms. I thought I was going to die right there on that bed.

They then sat me in the wheelchair and gave me a huge amount of coffee and soda (caffeine) which I had to sip for over an hour. I was very shaky that night and most of the next day.

I will never have one again. I'm not trying to scare you, and I don't even know if what you are having is the same test. But anytime you can avoid putting that dangerous a chemical into your body, my feeling is that you should do so.

Please go over how this test will be administered and the monitoring that will be done very carefully with the doctor who is going to perform it.

Is there a medical reason you cannot do the test using the treadmill?

What a jerk doctor! I really don't know what's going on with medical professionals these days, but it seems this type of attitude is becoming all too norm. Of course as with anything else you have your good and bad. I'm no baby AT ALL when it comes to having medical tests and procedures but by golly if I have concerns don't act like you're just annoyed! Sorry for your experience Ford, I'm sure that was frightening.

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

I couldn't have the treadmill test because I have a pacemaker. The worst thing I remember about the lexiscan test was complete boredom during the first resting test. I might have had a minor feeling of warmth, for the second part, but no nausea or other negatives. I figure I lucked out.