chemical stress test

I am about to be scheduled for a chemical stress test. Can someone who has had one already let me know what happens/how long it takes/pain involved and anything else I might need to know about it? Thanks in advance.

Drew,
 
I had one last summer as part of my clearances. . .  I had to do it over two days, first day it was some sort of x-rays, at least that's what I think I remember, then the following day they injected me with something to simulate stress, monitor you, and then inject you with something else to bring you down from the original and take more pictures.  It was relatively painless, but a little bit weird, I did not like the feeling, but I was ok.  I think in total it took a couple of hours, but you have to avoid caffiene for a period of time leading up to the test.  That's the best of my recollection, maybe someone who has had it more recently can give you more details.  Good luck.

Laureen

Hi,

I have had two.  The first one, I had a great time.  The doctor and the nurse sat and were telling jokes and stories so it was a hoot.  It took around 5 hours. 

The second one not as much entertainment and longer waiting but again no problems.

My experience was you go to the hospital, take off your top and bra ( if you are a girl).  You then lay on a table where a thing that looks like a moving exray machine.  Then you go and have the chemical injected.  I sat up for the first time and the second one they wanted me laying.  The chemical felt a little bit hot but other than that I felt nothing.  You then go back into the machine again. 

The waiting time for the second one was the most difficult. 

If you need to talk about it please pm.  There is really nothing to it and you will be fine.


Jeanne

I had the chemical stress test too.  No big whoop, but like the others said, it's a very odd feeling.  One thing that made it better for me was that while the chemical was in my system, I tapped my toes together and even wiggled my legs and arms as much as I could.  Yes, I know it sounds weird and I must have looked crazy wiggling on the table like a Tickle Me Elmo, but it really did help.

I see you're in Jersey too -- I had mine done at Mercer Hospital (part of Capital Healthcare) and they were fabulous and did a good job putting my mind at ease.

Good luck with it!
Lesley

I just had mine on Wednesday.  There are two ways they do it.  One is with the treadmill and one without.  The one without the treadmill takes longer. They told me 3-4 1/2 hours.  I did the treadmill one because I walk everyday and I didnt want to spend any more time at the hospital than I had to.

They put in an IV cathiter and then they injected me with dye and gave me water.  I sat and drank and waited a half hour for it to get through my system.  Then they made me lay on a table.  It reminded me of an open mri machine.  I had to put my hands over my head and just lay there and not move for 15 minutes while the camera spun around me and took pics of my heart.

They took me into the room with the treadmill and hooked me up to leads (Like they do in an ekg ) and injected me again.  I walked on the treadmill as the dr kept increasing the speed and incline.  They also took my blood presure during this and recorded it.  They made my heart rate go up to 165 before slowing down the treadmill.  It all happened in a matter of minutes.  I started out at a heart rate of about 52.  It was difficult to walk at the speed an incline at the end but I was happy to do it because it was over in minutes.  After it was over they gave me more water and then I sat a few minutes and they took me back to have the pics of my heart taken again.  That time I enjoyed laying on the table cause I was tired LOL.

If you can walk I suggest you do the treadmill.  Then you are only at the hospital for about 2 hours.

Diane

I had mine as part of my clearance because of my severe arthritis in my knees I could not walk the tread mill. You get injected with the chemical and they ake like panoramic views, then I had to go sit in the wiiting room and then go back for more pics and again wait and then more pics.  It was no big deal but when I got to the last set of views, I too had the "weird feeling" and by the time I got home, about a half hour later I had the BIGGEST MOST HORRIBLE HEADACHE that  I can ever remember having.  I went right to bed and tried to sleep it off.
Good luck
Susan