Stress Test for Exercise Limits

Hi....I'm new to the group....I turn 51 tomorrow and have had my PM a year. Had a few complications (lead punctured my heart causing a rather significant pericardial effusion, a week later had to have pericardial window surgery, went into respiratory failure and a day later had a lung collapse) prior to all these issues, I was an avid runner (7 miles a day without batting an eye) but since my PM the most I've done is 4 miles and it absolutely kills me! My doctor said we'd do a treadmill test and make adjustments if necessary. I had that done a few days ago but it only lasted about 5 minutes, only saw the nurse who conducted it and never even pretended to run. I thought a tech from the PM company would be there to make any nessary adjustments. Has anyone had similar issues and did a treadmill/stress test? I don't see how the few minutes I did WALKING is going to give the doctor the info needed for adjustments. Is this normal for that test? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks! Nancy

5 Comments

yes and no

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-23 01:05:02

What you had was a standard exercise stress test which shows how your heart handles mild exertion. Very normal thing to do, but only marginally useful in this case because they typically stop at a prescribed heart rate unless you have symptoms first. For you and me, we have our symptoms well after that benchmark so we need to keep going.

What you should have had was the treadmill with the pm rep and doc present. This is out of the ordinary so it's possible your doctor hasn't had a need for more than a regular treadmill test with a patient before and he thought what he ordered was sufficient. I've had both, one was considerably more helpful than the other! Talk to your doctor and ask to do it again, or it might be time to find another doctor. My doc and pm rep are both runners so they get it when I say I can exercise but not to my potential. Most practices are so used to patients who don't do more than walk that they're easily impressed when someone can do the full stress test and assume from that that you're fine. Sometimes we have to push.

IMO, it's really useful to have a doctor who's active himself. Someone who's never run is going to be impressed with your 4 miles and successful stress test and not have a clue what you're saying.

Stress Test for Exercise Limits

by Nehixson - 2016-05-23 06:05:57

Thanks for both comments . What makes this situation even more frustrating is my doc said both he and the PM rep were going to be present for the test....and no one but the nurse (who was very nice) was there..... He is a runner and has done something similar (he said) for two other patients who are marathon runners.... So I just figured it would all be cool and I would have an idea what's going on....instead I'm still in the dark.....thought maybe I had been way off base in what I was expecting....now I'm thinking it just didn't happen like it should have.... But thanks again for the responses

Again

by Good Dog - 2016-05-23 07:05:48

Your doc may be a runner, but I'm guessing that he doesn't have a PM. That might make all the difference. In any case, I would find a new Doc. I am not suggesting you jump from the frying pan into the fire. So it is important to ask around and do your homework to choose a good doc. Something I always do is ask the best doctor I know who he would see if he had the same issue as I do. Or who would he send his mother to if she needed a PM.
I suppose it is possible that he had an emergency. If you do stick with this doc, be sure to let him know how he disappointed you.
Whatever...............I wish you the best!

David

I certainly agree with you

by Good Dog - 2016-05-23 10:05:40

Sounds like you have been through the mill. I am sure you are happy to have all of that behind you.
You can't blame the nurse or the folks that conducted the treadmill test. They do so following your doctors orders precisely. I would certainly think that if you are doing up to 4 miles/day, there was no reason not to trust you could not handle a more robust treadmill test. As far as the PM Rep attending your treadmill test.............if your doc insisted that he be present and his office helped to coordinate it, he would have been there. The PM rep only cares about keeping the doctor happy as they are selling their units to him. That is what motivates them. The PM Rep will do what your doc wants, but nobody else. I once laid in the ER for hours waiting for a pacer Co. Rep to show-up (the ER doc called him). He never showed.
Without knowing your condition I can say that some PM's are better suited for runners than others, but I don't know much about that. So that could be an issue also.
I really think it is time to find a new doctor. It doesn't "seem" as though he has served you very well.

Doctors

by Icuh8n - 2016-05-24 05:05:58

I agree with gooddog except to take it further maybe make it a prerequisite for doctors to have the problems themselves so they can better fix it
Oh boy!!!

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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