Question:
Has anyone had to have a Stress Test and then...

Hi everyone! I went to my pre-admission testing this morning and found out that I now have to have a stress test. The internal medicine dr (who I thought was kind of rude) said that he didn't like the fact that when I went up a few flights of stairs I got short of breath and had slight chest pains AND the fact that I have heart disease in my immediate family. I mean as far as I know the rest of my pre admission testing went fine, so I'm hoping this is just a precaution. Has anyone had a similar situation? What does the stress test intail? Does anyone know if there IS something wrong with my heart, will they cancel surgery? Any input at all would be most appreciated and helpful! Thanks again!    — Patti M. (posted on April 26, 2006)

April 26, 2006
Patricia, I had a similar thing happen to me, but my doctor was not rude, just doing his job. My Mother passed away from Heart Disease and its rampent on her side of the family. Plus, I too got short of breath when going up stairs and walking short didtances. I beleive its a precautionary measure and one that might protect the doctor from law suits. Not to mention, there could be serious complications that can be avoided if they know what to expect before you go into surgery. I had my stress test and in spit of all I had going on, I passed it, had my surgery and am doing fine. I pray all goes well for you and that I'll se you on the Losing Side, real soon. Hugs, Normie
   — Normie

April 26, 2006
I can only speak about what happened to me, but I thought the same thing when I found out I had to have a stress test. I knew my blood pressure was high but checked with medication and I had heard terrible things about stress tests, but I wanted the surgery, so I went to the Heart Institute and took it. They hooked me up to all these things and then (without a bra!) I had to walk on the treadmill and a couple of times they changed the angle of it, but I did as much as I could and then told them to stop it and they did. They also did some kind of dye injection and took all these pictures from all these angles and while I found it interesting, I actually fell asleep during part of it. The end results were nothing that would stop me from having the surgery. I had it over a year ago, lost 112 pounds so far and don't regret one moment. You just have to have faith that you are doing the right thing. You don't want to get on the operating table and then have them get into trouble with your heart. They are doing it for you and your well-being. Just put your hands in God's hands and hand it all over to the doctors. They know what is best. God bless and good luck!
   — Carol M.

April 26, 2006
Me, too. I was so upset. I was so scared that this would stop everything. But they need to see what shape your heart is in so they know what they are dealing with when you are on the operating table. Just make sure that you do tell them when you feel you are at your physical limit,. and they will stop. I was proud and didn't want to admit I was getting winded, so they took me right up to the maximum stress. My heart was fine, but it took the starch out of me, I can tell you. Don't be afraid of being exposed either. I was worried about that. Once they have the little suction things on your chest, you have on a closed hospital gown you take the test in. It closes across the front, so nothing is showing. Nothing they do hurts either, so it is relatively painless. It just takes a long time for each part, so don't plan on getting out of there for at least 3 hours. They xray your heart before, do the stress, and make you wait for awhile before taking the xray again, so they see your heart before, during and after. Then you wait for the doctor to come in and tell you how you did. Hope that's a complete answer about the whole thing. Good luck!
   — Jenny1

April 30, 2006
Relax, Patricia! I agree with all the other responders, it's just a precaution! I didn't check your profile to get your BMI, but I had a stress test done (because of hypochondria!) when I was almost 400 pounds. They didn't bother with the treadmill, they went right to some kind of injection that stresses the heart the same way climbing stairs does. I just got to lie down and relax with the EKG leads in place. No big deal! But just to put the mind at ease, there was a cardiologist present the whole time, plus a crash cart in the corner, and this was done in a hospital within shouting distance of an operating room. Just precautions! Yes, I passed, and I'm sure you will too! And you'll be a skinny minnie before you know it! Good luck, and I'll keep you in my prayers. --Mary
   — mwilson523

May 1, 2006
Thank you to everyone who replied. I did pass with flying colors and am SO looking forward to surgery next Thursday! Thanks again everyone!
   — Patti M.