STRESS TEST

HELLO EVERYONE! I WENT FOR MY CARDIOLOGY APPOINTMENT AND HE IS GOING TO SEND ME FOR A DOBUTAMINE STRESS TEST. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND HOW IT IS DONE? I AM SO ANXIOUS TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER. JUST WONDERING WHAT THE USUAL WAIT TIME IS ON INSURANCE APPROVAL. HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY TO ALL! KAREN

This is a chemical stress test and they put the meds in by an IV and monitor your heart rate and check your valves,this is done for people that can't do the treadmill stress test.As far as ins approval it varies from company to company but they usally wait till all pre-op testing is submitted.

Karen, I had it done, it really was no big deal other than it took a big part out of my day. The actual testing was not that long, but I had to wait in between each test and was not allowed to leave the premises and they didn't have any good magazines. So I recommend that you bring something to do while you wait. Can we say BORING??? As for to expect with the actual proceedure it varies a bit but here is basically what happened to me; I went in and got a baseline EKG and pictures, this was the most hurtful part of the test for me ... the US tech pushed so hard against my chest with her wand ... I had a couple of those before preparing for this test and they did not hurt, so I can only guess it was the inexperince of the US Tech with heavy people that she felt she had to push hard to get through the fat! *rolling eyes* anyway ... they then put me in this big machine to get cross section images of my heart at rest, (they tech told me that most people fall asleep during this part - I didn't) ... then waited again ... then they stuck the back of my hand and set it up to add the nuclear material and meds. I layed down, they injected the meds to increase my heart rate and within a few minutes gave me some meds to slow it down. Then took pics of my heart when stressed. Had a snack then waited some more. Then they did another scan of my heart at rest and waited then was sent home. I have left some steps out, but this is the basic info. Everything took several hours with a lot of the time spent waiting around. I will be honest, the meds to increase your heart rate can make you feel a little rough, nothing too bad, just kinda funky. This doesn't happen with everyone, just some, and there are nurses and a doctor there to make sure you are fine. It really isn't bad and this test is really good for ruling out a lot of heart problems. I felt much better going into surgery knowing that all was well with my heart. One less stress on me the day of surgery. Wishing you the very best! Hugs, Tammy

I WENT FOR THE TEST TODAY...IT REALLY WASN'T THAT BAD. TOWARDS THE END OF THE TEST GOT A LITTLE ROUGH BUT I DID FINE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP......THE CARDIOLOGIST SAID I DID VERY WELL AND HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT ME FROM GOING THROUGH WITH THE PROCEDURE. I'LL GUESS I'LL SEE WHEN I GO BACK TO MY CARDIOLOGIST ON THE 30TH. THANKS AGAIN! KAREN

Congrats on making it through the stress test okay. I had it done too and agree that the worst of it was the few minutes when the chemical was going in... I DID fall alseep in the machine when they were taking the rotating pictures! Glad you are 1 step closer! Kathy V.

Way to go Karen! I had my stress test a few weeks ago, and i think Tammy said it best.......it was boring! lol There is a lot of 'down' time. My results checked out great as my cardiologist liked what he saw! You shouldn't have any problems with your follow up appointment!! Good Luck with it!! (((((hugs))))) -Joe-