stress test

hey all I have my first ever stress test tommorow. What should I expect? All I know is that I will be on a treadmill. What are they looking for?

7 Comments

A variety of things

by Angelie - 2009-05-28 10:05:10

There are many types of stress tests. You didn't specify so I can only generally answer your question.

doc is looking for changes in EKG while you're on the treadmill

If you're having a nuclear stress test than they'll take pictures as well and look for signs of ischemia.

Hope this helps.

Angelie

thanks

by gargoyle725 - 2009-05-28 11:05:35

All the DR. told me was dress to be on a treadmill. My goal is to max it out, just to annoy my DR. I am trying to quit smoking after my problems but my cardio is top notch due to verious training I do. I just hate treadmills, you never get anywhere and there are no obsticals. when I was talking to the Dr. last week he was lecturing me about smoking and I asked if he wanted to go try a 6 minute mile with me, he said if I can run a 6min mile he has hair. he only wishes he did.

easy

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-28 11:05:44

They usually want you to hit a target heart rate so they can see what your heart does on exertion. They'll increase the speed and steepness every few minutes until they get what they need. Dress to work out, and take along a bottle of water. If you're easily handling what they give you, they just keep cranking it up until you max out so it's usually over with pretty quickly. I don't think I've ever lasted more than ten minutes!

They'll wire you up as if for an ekg, bp monitor and an O2 saturation thingy on your finger. Sometimes they hook up the pm computer.

Chemical stress tests are a little different but if you'll be on a treadmill it doesn't sound like you're getting that kind. For those, they hook up an iv and chemically raise your hr.

Annoying the doc

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-29 01:05:44

Better idea: As the test comes to an end just gasp a couple of times and fake collapsing on the floor. That should get his/her attention. G:

Just be sure to jump up before they get the paddles on you.

frank

all done

by gargoyle725 - 2009-05-29 03:05:30

well I had my test. after 11 minutes my shoe came untied and they stopped it. they wanted my heart rate to get to 180 but it only made it to about 170. How come no one warned me about the exhaling and holding right after the test ended? that was the worst part.

no

by gargoyle725 - 2009-05-29 07:05:46

My wife will be there and she would kill me. I would rather just make the doctor admitt that I am in better shape than he is. I will admit that when I went back to work this week when people were annoying me I just look at them and said " You are really starting to stress me out,I hope thats ok for my heart,but don't blame yourself" You would be surprized how quick people leave you alone.

Untied Shoe Lace

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-30 12:05:24

That sounds serious. Aren't you glad you had the test. Just think that lace could have come untied somewhere outside the hospital and you would have been in real trouble. Sounds like you need an ISR (Implantable Shoelace Re-tier).

Sounds like it all went well. I hadn't heard of the exhale and holding thing. Wonder what they are trying to test.

frank

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