Cardiologpist...

I had my Cardiologist appointment yesterday, and I stressed myself out over nothing! I found myself wondering a few days prior to the appointment if I was going to have to have a heart catherization (for those who have had one, I am sure you will agree that they hurt). At anyrate, my bp was good, my heart ultrasound was good, and my ecg went great. He had no concerns until....until I started talking to him about the pains in that chest area that I get when I do anything too physically stressful (ie: shovel snow), and shortness of breath when I am lying down. He then told me that he is going to sign me up for a stress test that involves a IV. It is over a two day period, and takes about a hour per day. The IV and what is ever in it can cause side effects (naseau), and they counter attack the side effects with coffee....(I hope it is Tim Hortons...lol). Has anybody heard of this stress test with a IV? What can I expect? are side effects common, and what side effects can someone expect other then naseau???? Also, have my pm appointment slated for the end of February. I only have to see them once per year (unless for whatever reason, I need to see them sooner). My Cardiologist had no concerns with the pm, and indicated that it looks to be doing just fine.

6 Comments

thallium

by jessie - 2008-01-05 08:01:16

i had the thallium injection tesat and it felt like an elephant sitting on my chest. i came thru it with flying colours and have no significant blocckages. lucky i am i know i had an i.v. so ask hi if it is the same test? jessie

stress test...

by Suzzy - 2008-01-05 08:01:36

My Cardiologist told me that if the stress test did not go well then I will be having a heart catherization. I rather go thru another open heart surgery as those catherizations hurt. Keeping my fingers crossed that all works out.

Also, where you able to go back to work after the test? Not sure if I should be taking the day off, and my Cardiologist did not mention it either way.

Stress Test

by hooimom - 2008-01-05 08:01:46

I had a stress test with IV and didn't really have any side effects from it. I did have a little nausea but nothing severe. Mine was done over two days. One was a "resting" test and one was on the treadmill. I didn't have coffee but they did send me out to have a big breakfast afterward.

Michelle

Work

by hooimom - 2008-01-05 09:01:18

I took the day off but I could have gone back to work.

Michelle

Stress Test

by Carol - 2008-01-05 09:01:57

Hi Suzzy,
I just had the nuclear (IV) stress test 2 weeks ago Friday. First they give you some radio-isotope thru the IV (no side effects expected or experienced) I started on the treadmill but couldn't get the HR up far enough, so I got the medication ( Persantine). The side effects were minimal for me, I felt a little "spacey" but no headache or nausea. I could feel my heartbeat thumping a little harder and that's all. They then gave me an "antidote" (Theophylline) to reverse the effects of the Persantine (this is routine procedure by my cardiologist). It gave me a kind of RUSH that I wasn't expecting...its a bronchodilator and for a few seconds I felt like my lungs weren't working...I told the nurse, she said it would be over in a flash and it was...I just wish I'd known what to expect as it wouldn't have been as scary.
As for going back to work, well, my test was not the two day one, mine took about 4 hrs all together, so I took the day off. I was pretty much wrung out anyway from all the anxiety I had over it so this worked out best for me. Luckily, No discernible blockages. Hope all goes OK for you as well and hope this helps you to know what to expect. Best wishes....Carol

Must be something different

by gevans - 2008-01-06 10:01:20

Suzzy,

Sorry to hear about your ordeals and stress over the procedures. I've had two catherizations (one with stent placement) and only felt a slight sting when they anesthetized the insertion site. I found the whole procedure fascinating - and loved watching on the monitors as they injected the dye and placed the stent. There must be no nerve endings in the vessels because I never felt a thing.

Same with the nuclear and treadmill stress test. Mine took about 4 hours (mostly waiting between tests). I was just injected and after a 40 min wait was photographed (radiographed?) for 15 mins while lying on a slab. Then I walked and eventually ran on a treadmill and when my legs were about to give out the cardiologist asked me to let him know when I could only go one minute more. He then had the attendant inject the nuclear meds, I struggled up the incline for the required final minute, cooled down a bit, toweled off, and was allowed to eat my first meal in 12 hours. An hour later I repeated the imaging process on the slab and was sent home.

I hope yours is just as uneventful - the most stressful for me was the fasting!!!

Gary

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