Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 In a message dated 7/11/2002 5:38:46 PM Central Daylight Time, trudyjh@... writes: > Good and calming thoughts requested, thanks... > > Having had a mild heart attack a few years ago I undergo stress testing every couple of years, although not with an echocardiogram. Other than the fact that I hate to work that hard, even for a few minutes, it's really not so bad. I have had echo cardiograms also, which certainly are no trouble at all. I can understand your reluctance to do without your beta blocker, I'm much more comfortable on mine too. But I know everything will go well and I hope you get a good report. Good Luck! Brenta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Trudy, Try not to worry about it. You will be in a controlled environment. If anything were to happen at any time, you are in the right spot. My cardio is in Los Angeles? Is yours nearby? Dwight <<Well, I go in for a stress echocardiogram tomorrow at 3 pm Pacific time, my first stress echo. It's to check for artery blockages, as I understand it. They told me to cut my beta blocker dose in 1/2 today and none tomorrow. Of course, I am so stressed out with the combination of worry about the results and whether I'll go into multiple extra beats a minute/afib without the beta blocker, that I am already starting to throw extra beats. Good and calming thoughts requested, thanks...>> Dwight Broeman dbroeman@... --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 In a message dated 7/11/2002 3:38:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@... writes: << Of course, I am so stressed out with the combination of worry about the results and whether I'll go into multiple extra beats a minute/afib without the beta blocker, that I am already starting to throw extra beats. >> Trudy, Like you I was extremely stressed out before I had my stress test two years ago, but it turned out to be a boost to my confidence and not at all stressful psychologically. I was in sinus at the time, but my cardiologist actually preferred that I should be in afib. He wanted me to come back for another at a time when I had afib, but they've never been able to catch me in afib. (I'm in sinus all the time these days.) Probably the reason for discontinuing the beta blocker is so that they can get a more realistic picture of your heart rate without the " governing " effect of the beta blocker. I exercised to the point that I felt I was ready to drop, but my heart rate was only 120 under the influence of Atenolol and Verapamil. I was very closely monitored by my cardiologist who was conducting the test, and he told me of numerous precautions built into the software to guarantee that the test could be stopped if any point if dangerous levels were reached. Also, he was very sensitive to my feedback and told me several times that I could stop if I felt that I needed to do so, but I pushed myself to what I felt was my absolute limit. I really don't think you need to worry about having a dangerous heart episode due to the very close monitoring. Also, they start you out at a slow pace and gradually increase the load so that you have a chance to warm up. It was actually a boost to my confidence to find out from the results of the test that I was more fit than I had previously thought. In spite of the fact that I was completely exhausted when the test stopped, he said that I ranked in the 85 percentile of fitness for active women in my age group. That gave me more of a sense of security about the condition of my heart and about exercising in the future. I was psychologically much stronger after that stress test in regard to exercising and my heart health. My doctor did make me wait in the reception area for 45 minutes after the test just to be sure that everything was all right. Also, he warned me not to take a very hot shower that night but to stick with lukewarm warm. I just I would pass those to items along although they may not apply to you. In summary, I would say two words: Don't worry! I spent a lot of wasted time and energy worrying in advance of the test, but in retrospect I see it as a very positive experience. Do let us know how it goes. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Trudy I had the stress echocardiogram in February and worried quite a bit prior to the procedure. However, it is not that bad a test and everything with me went well. Was in A-Fib at the time, after two Cardioversions didn't keep my heart in rhythm. It seems I was at the hospital about six hours and couldn't eat or drink until the test was completed! Good luck, keep smiling and let me hear how you came out. Best to you. Irene momfoz@... stress echocardiogram Well, I go in for a stress echocardiogram tomorrow at 3 pm Pacific time, my first stress echo. It's to check for artery blockages, as I understand it. They told me to cut my beta blocker dose in 1/2 today and none tomorrow. Of course, I am so stressed out with the combination of worry about the results and whether I'll go into multiple extra beats a minute/afib without the beta blocker, that I am already starting to throw extra beats. Good and calming thoughts requested, thanks... Web Page - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport FAQ - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/files/Administrative/faq.htm For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Thanks everyone, that really helps. Dwight, I am near SF, not LA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 In a message dated 7/12/2002 9:17:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@... writes: << What is mostly giving me the whillies(sp?) about the test is that I have these delayed reactions to exertion - several hours or more afterwards when I've overdone garden work or tried lifting weights, etc. >> Trudy, I often have delayed reactions to exertion or stress, also; but that didn't happen after the stress test. I think it's a different situation because it really doesn't last all that long and you're doing a very repetitive motion with your full concentration. You'll be monitored so closely that I'm sure if there are any indications of potential problems you will be asked to stay for a while as I was, mainly, I think, because I told everybody who would listen, how exhausted I was. In retrospect, I think my exhaustion was more psychological: a big letdown after all the stress and worry I had built up in my mind before the test. I think a long walk is actually about as stressful physically as that test. I hope this reaches you before your test since we're in the same time zone. Again, don't worry. If my doctor wanted me to have another stress test, I would look forward to it and wouldn't fear it at all. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 Thanks, everyone. What is mostly giving me the whillies(sp?) about the test is that I have these delayed reactions to exertion - several hours or more afterwards when I've overdone garden work or tried lifting weights, etc. Of course, the test is scheduled for 3pm on a Friday, maximizing the chance that something will happen over the weekend :-) Well, I'll be glad to get it over with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 Trudy Don't worry about it. I know its easier said than done. My own one was a synch. I was convinced that they would find something amiss. It is probably better that you are in AF when they do it. I was in AF during the echocardiogram so I thought they would be able to find the problem. No such luck. But good in a way. It showed no structural abnormality and also that I was not at risk from stroke as my blood was not pooling. So you may get something good like this coming back. I hope so. Take care Fran stress echocardiogram > Well, I go in for a stress echocardiogram tomorrow at 3 pm Pacific > time, my first stress echo. It's to check for artery blockages, as I > understand it. > > They told me to cut my beta blocker dose in 1/2 today and none > tomorrow. Of course, I am so stressed out with the combination of > worry about the results and whether I'll go into multiple extra beats > a minute/afib without the beta blocker, that I am already starting to > throw extra beats. > > Good and calming thoughts requested, thanks... > > > > > > > > Web Page - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport > FAQ - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFIBsupport/files/Administrative/faq.htm > For more information: http://www.dialsolutions.com/af > Unsubscribe: AFIBsupport-unsubscribe > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 After all my whining, it was not bad at all. And my heart is fine. I was sure they were going to find clogged up arteries, etc. I was so relieved I forgot to ask the cardio how bad clogging had to be to show up. And its been 6+ hours since the test and I haven't slid into frequent ectopics. Sure wish I knew why weight bearing exercise does that, but not running/walking. Thanks again to everyone for the head pats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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