Stress Test Question

Well, I'm scheduled for my chemical stress test in the morning and the dr's office called me today and said because of my high BMI, my test would have to be done over two days.  Has anyone ever had to do this?

I did the chemical stress test, but it wasn't over two days.  I don't know how it would be done over two days??  weird...

Here is my blog about my test.

Chemical Cardio Stress Test November 15, 2007

Went to the cardiologist today for my medically induced stress test and echo.  The stress test was first.  I arrived exactly on time for my appointment, but the instructions said to arrive 10 min early...  So, I was a little late going in for the test. The first time they called me back, they gave me my IV line.  That guy was GOOD!!!  I didn't feel a thing!  I'm not joking!  If I hadn't been watching him, I never would have known he did anything!  NO bruise.  I could barely tell where it was at by the time I got home that evening!  So, after the IV line, he injected some radioactive stuff that helps the camera see my blood flowing through my heart.  After that, I was told to go back to the waiting room and drink 3 glasses of water.  The more water you drink, the better your pictures will turn out. Three glasses of water later, they called me back again.  This time, I had to lay down on the camera table.  The camera rotated around me, stopping every few inches taking pictures of my heart at rest.  This process took about 30 minutes.  Next, back into the waiting room. A few minutes later (maybe 10 or so) I was called back again for the chemical part of the test.  First they hooked me up to 10 or 12 electrodes, took my blood pressure, and explained what they were going to do to me.  Then, the tech had to go get the nurse.  This is when the fun (NOT!!!) begins!  She hooks my IV up to a machine that had "THE medicine" in it.  She went over side effects, what to expect, how I might feel, etc... I started feeling the effects about 1 minute into the 6 minute test.  I was feeling a warming sensation all over my body & my face was beet red (I could feel the redness).  By 1 1/2 minutes I was starting to get uncomfortable.  By 2 minutes I think I lost track of time...  lol  By this time, I started feeling like someone kicked me in the gut!  I had a heavy feeling in my chest.  I know that I was ready for it to be OVER by 3 minutes!!!  The nurse told me when we were at 3 minutes "half over" and I was wanting it done NOW!!!  I felt like I had a WHOLE apple stuck in my throat!  At 3 minutes, the nurse injected me with more radioactive solution. Like I said, I don't have much memory of exact times, but probably about 4 minutes into it, I told the nurse I felt like my throat was closing up.  (remember, the apple!!).  Shortly after that I started dry heaving!!  The nurse had me roll over to my side and heave in the trash can.  Nothing came up, which surprised me.  I had drank so much water!  lol Shortly after the heaving was over, the test was over.  About as fast as it came on, it went away.  I didn't mention above that during the test they took my BP.  I think they probably took it 3 or 4 times, but I don't remember that at all.  I just remember her saying they would take it several times.  With all the other pain I was having, I don't remember the BP cuff!!   Just as fast as this all started, it all went away.  They took one last BP reading and had me sit up for a minute, unhooked most of the electrodes, had me stand up for a min, then I was free to go as long as I didn't feel weird.  I felt (almost) normal! They gave me some peanut butter crackers (couldn't eat for 6 hours prior and no caffeine for 24 hours prior).  At this time they told me I could have all the caffeine & food I wanted, sent me to the cafeteria, and told me to drink 3 more glasses of water. After the snack, coffee, and water I was called back in for another set of pictures.  These were just like the first set and took about 25 minutes.  This time, they had a couple electrodes stuck to me though. That was the end of the test...  In conclusion, I think I'd rather be in labor for 24 hours again before I do that SIX minute test again!  Lol

Liz, I did mine in one day. Are you going to Dr. Ghani? Are you doing the PET scan/nuclear adenosine scan?

Yes, I'm seeing Dr. Ghani.  I had my EKG and Ultrasound last Thurs. and was scheduled for my stress test tomorrow.  They called me at home last night to give me instructions but didn't say anything about it lasting two days.  Then they called me at work this morning and said Dr. Ghani wanted to do the test over two days because I had such a high BMI.  I don't understand at all.

Liz, I just sent you a personal message.