Wellness

[Kalli]

I never heard of this stress test but had the treadmill one about 4 years ago. I was really nervous but once I started, I could've gone on and on. They had to tell me it was time to stop! I was on a roll.

As I said, I'm not familiar with this type of test but try to stay calm. I hope the test will yield the info your dr needs. Good luck and keep thinking positive thoughts.

-Kalli

[hckynut]

On 3/10/2015 Kalli said:

I never heard of this stress test but had the treadmill one about 4 years ago. I was really nervous but once I started, I could've gone on and on. They had to tell me it was time to stop! I was on a roll.

As I said, I'm not familiar with this type of test but try to stay calm. I hope the test will yield the info your dr needs. Good luck and keep thinking positive thoughts.

-Kalli

Hi Kalli,

You must have had one of the easier "moving protocols" for your treadmill tests. I can assure you that if you had a Max Treadmill Test, which measures your Oxygen Uptake and the amount of Carbon Dioxide Expelled. Those in the room/Cardiologist/Pulmonologist/EKG Technicians etc. none of them tell you "when to stop". You go until exhaustion and you want to stop, unless they detect some sort of heart or respiratory problem.

I've had at least 25 Stress Treadmill Tests, some using the Bruce Protocol and some using the Balke Protocol, and others using a combination of the 2. The hospital also had their own Protocol and the speed of the belt and the elevation of the deck varied between the Protocols. That is what a "Maximal Treadmill Stress Test" is all about and if you could reach over 13 minutes? You were among the very, very few that lasted that long with a couple of these Protocols.

I am sure you are in good physical shape with a pretty good Max Vo2, but don't think all "Treadmill Stress Tests" are the same, because I am here to tell you they are not.

[luvmyteddy4]

I had one done a few years ago before a surgery. I told them I couldn't do the standard treadmill test and they mentioned this one. I was so relieved there was an option and I found it painless.

[Kalli]

On 3/10/2015 hckynut said:

On 3/10/2015 Kalli said:

I never heard of this stress test but had the treadmill one about 4 years ago. I was really nervous but once I started, I could've gone on and on. They had to tell me it was time to stop! I was on a roll.

As I said, I'm not familiar with this type of test but try to stay calm. I hope the test will yield the info your dr needs. Good luck and keep thinking positive thoughts.

-Kalli

Hi Kalli,

You must have had one of the easier "moving protocols" for your treadmill tests. I can assure you that if you had a Max Treadmill Test, which measures your Oxygen Uptake and the amount of Carbon Dioxide Expelled. Those in the room/Cardiologist/Pulmonologist/EKG Technicians etc. none of them tell you "when to stop". You go until exhaustion and you want to stop, unless they detect some sort of heart or respiratory problem.

I've had at least 25 Stress Treadmill Tests, some using the Bruce Protocol and some using the Balke Protocol, and others using a combination of the 2. The hospital also had their own Protocol and the speed of the belt and the elevation of the deck varied between the Protocols. That is what a "Maximal Treadmill Stress Test" is all about and if you could reach over 13 minutes? You were among the very, very few that lasted that long with a couple of these Protocols.

I am sure you are in good physical shape with a pretty good Max Vo2, but don't think all "Treadmill Stress Tests" are the same, because I am here to tell you they are not.

Hi, John! How are you?

I only remember that I had the stress treadmill test and I can't tell you which kind. With my family history of early heart attacks, plus the fact that my total cholesterol was over 200, my pcp sent me to a cardiologist who scheduled me for the test. I was hooked up to electrodes(?) to monitor my heart and they took pictures of each chamber of my heart and the valves while I was doing the treadmill. They coached me through the whole thing telling me when to increase. They didn't see anything of major concern after I was on for a while and told me I could keep going or stop because they already had the info they needed.

Then I was shown the pictures. I had 1 small age-related thing that came up with one of the valves. Dr. said it's normal for my age and told me not to take any statins as my good cholesterol was very high and triglycerides were very low. My total number was high due to my very high good cholesterol level. Test was done mostly due to my family history and to see if anything was going on that they needed to know. I had a brother who was born with a fatal heart condition so again, they just wanted more info.

I have 5 siblings. Three of my 4 brothers and my sis are now on statins. As long as my good cholesterol stays high, I can delay that for now but must be checked regularly as things may change.

[Tissyanne]

I had the stress test a few years ago. Don't be frightened. I drove myself there and back. The only thing I felt was a little light headed. Your heart rate will increase, but only for a short time.

[Apple Head]

ozarkgirl, I can understand your concerns. You'll do fine, I'm sure. The worry and wondering is worse than the actual test.

At any time during the test you don't feel well or feel faint, etc. just tell them and let them know. They monitor real close. Tell them beforehand any of your concerns or fears.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes, won't you!

[ozarkgirl]

Thank you everyone for all the comments. I just have to stay busy and not think about the test. I sure it will be ok but the anticipation and not knowing is the worst and I can see that every person reaction to the rest is different. I will let everyone know what happens next week. Thanks again.

[wonderfulworld]

Ozarkgirl, at least with me a large part of the fear is really anxiety over what the test results will be. Anything to do with the heart is scary and I will be thinking about you and wish you the best.

[Shelbelle]

On 3/10/2015 luvmyteddy said:

I had one done a few years ago before a surgery. I told them I couldn't do the standard treadmill test and they mentioned this one. I was so relieved there was an option and I found it painless.

I would have to say the same thing if I was to have a stress test. I am petrified of treadmills, my son fell off one as a child and was hurt, since then I refuse to get on one.

[LilacTree]

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?