stress test

well i've got a date!!!! i go for my pre-op on march 17th. and my surgery is planned for april19th. but first i've got to go for a nuclear stress test here in st. louis, one of those none walking type stress tests, and i was curious if any one else has had one of these, and what it's like. if you have had one please let me know. thanks.

Stephen, I just had this test done Friday. It was called an Adesine (?) stress test. They first started an IV line in my arm. Then they put a tracer into the IV which allowed the scanning machine to pick up the blood flow thru my heart. I spent 15 mins in a tube while they did this scan. My head was out the tube so that was good! Then, I went to a different area and that's where the fun began, NOT!!! I was put into a bed, and the nurse explained that I would be given this medicine over a 6 minute period. I may experience some symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, flushing in my face. Well about the time she was telling me, all of the sudden my face got real hot, but lips were dry, then I got real short of breath. The nurse was great and talked me thru it. She did explain that this is just the opposite of a heart attack. A heart attack is constricting and this was a dilating test. The whole time I was hooked up to a heart monitor and blood pressure cuff. She said that within 3 - 5 mins after the medicine went in, the symptoms would wear off and sure enough with 5 minutes I was back up off the bed (they took the IV out of my arm) and took me back to the scan area. I had to wait for 30 minutes and then they took another 15 min. scan and then I went home. I must say it was the freakiest thing I have ever done! I am so glad it is over.... I hope yours go well! Keep us posted. Hope this helps you out! cindy j

the stress test is done, but if i ever have to go through that again it will be too soon. i think they invented that test in the 1200's for the inquistion. yes sir no fun at all. anyone who doesn't have to get one consider yourself lucky.