pre-ob

Hi everyone I went to the doctor twice and I was supposed to do the stress test. I was so stressed that the had to reschudule my appointment becasue my pressure was sky high. I am so nervous. Any suggestions?

The stress test is no big deal, honest!! I have had a few for non-surgerical reasons. Basically, they hook you up to a monitor and you start walking on a treadmill. The speed does increase, as well as the incline. Stay on as long as possible, but don't wear yourself out! When you become tired, tell them to STOP!! Then immediately they have you lie on a bed and they put a wand to your heart to take a picture. That's it!! There are NO NEEDLES involved. Maybe the thought of this was keeping your BP up. My mom is a CCVT (certified cardio-vascular technologist) so I knew what to expect.

HI...When I had my stress test, I had it done with the drugs instead of the treadmill. They used drugs to speed up the heart rate and it only lasted a few minutes. Nothing to worry about. Only problem I had was when they blew my vein twice trying to put needle in it for the IV. My veins tend to roll away... But other than that it was a breeze!! So you might want to try the drug induced test instead of the treadmill if thats what is scarring you. Good Luck!!! Judy

You probably had a thalium stress test. My dad has had many over the years... My veins are deep and tend to roll. I just inform them before they stick me so if they miss (and Lord knows they have!), they just pull it out - they do not want the rath of Rhonda if they decide to move it around just a bit!