Question:
In 2 weeks I have to get a Stress Test and Echocardiogram....

Hi there. My last post-op tests before submitting papers to insurance is an echocardiogram and a stress test. I had an echo in 1998 because I started having excruciating chest pains all of a sudden and couldn't breathe (this was my junior year of high school - I'm 20 yrs old currently). The doctors said it was probably a "panic attack" and I've written it off at such. I have palpitations on almost a daily basis, but on occasion I still have very painful chest pains. One time I was just walking with my friend and my left arm went totally numb. I had some tightness in my chest, but not much. So now I have to do the stress test and echo. I'm scared to the point of tears. I'm afraid to know if there is anything wrong with me, but I don't want to stroke out on the operating table. I also don't want to stroke out during the stress test! Have any of you done this? Do they really push you as hard as I've heard? Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks :)    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 29, 2002)

January 28, 2002
Normal worries before any test. Its better if they know in advance whatever problems you have. The stress test is done with a cardiiologist watching the results. If he sees anything dangerous the test will stop immediately. They have a crash cart there too just in case. I am clastrohobic and was bothered a bit by the scan after the running. At 45 it was the most intense exercise I had in years because of a bad knee. I came thru fine, and that surprised me.
   — bob-haller

January 28, 2002
Ask your heart doctor if it would be possible to do it the nuclear test way instead. That is the way I had it done. (I think they could tell by looking at me that I probably would last 2 minutes on a bike!) Felt kinda weird, they give you this stuff through vein then it send your body into the mode of a "workout" stage.....I felt so weird, like I should have been doing something while running out of breath, and all I was doing was just SITTING there...SO, the tech guy asked me how I was doing and I told him that I felt like I should be soing something....he told me to do it then...so I moved my arms (kinda like in walking motion) while I was panting. It was very strange though........but you can do it!!...AND they monitor you the whole time, so if you have any reaction to the nuclear stuff they put in you, they can give you something right away to counter act it...Check into it!!!...And GOOD LUCK!!!
   — [Anonymous]

January 28, 2002
I just had a chemically induced stress test last week. I will be honest with you I did not enjoy it at all. I felt like my heart was trying to jump out of my body up through my throat. They raised my heart rate up to 160 and kep it there about 8 minutes. The good thing about the chemical test is that, well at least at my drs office, the dr was present, he actually sat there and watched over me while they did the test. They monitored my blood pressure every 2 minutes or so and kep asking me how I was feeling. I also had the echo done and that was a piece of cake. Both of my tests came back OK. Hon, it is best to be safe in the long run, your dr would not order the tests if he didn't feel they were necessary. Good luck. You have age on your side. You are only 20. I am 40 and I wish I could have done something like this in my 20s.
   — SARose61

January 29, 2002
I had a stress test (chemical) as a pre-op test. It is most uncomfortable but only last seven minutes. Think of it as better safe than sorry.
   — Oldsoul

January 30, 2002
Hi, feel free to read my profile for more in depth answers. I've had the echo and stress test done TWICE in the last 3 months. If you can't physically do the stress test they can give you meds to stress your heart without having to walk on the treadmill. However, I have a moderately severe weak heart and I did the treadmill and I'm 37 years old. Even though I do have a weak heart muscle that only pumps at 34%, I'm still a go for surgery. HOWEVER, it took me THREE cardiologists before I found one who would OK me for surgery. So, just because you have a weak heart or some other heart condition, don't assume that your surgery will be canceled and make sure your cardiologist is WLS friendly.
   — Tina P.