Stress test?

[nmmom95]

Has anyone had a stress test. I understand that there are different kinds. I am trying to get on the kidney transplant list at Johns Hopkins. They want me to have a thallium stress test. I'm afraid because my blood pressure is very high, even with medication it gets up to 189/106. What can you tell me about them, thallium or any other kind? I'm terrified that I will take a heart attack on the treadmill. Is it as bad as I think, or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Thanks!

 

[VisionPilot]

I had a stress test a couple of years ago. I was having blood pressure and rhythm issues and was pretty scared about it myself. I am hard to stick with needles and it took them 5 tries (right hand, left hand, right arm, left arm, and finally right hand again) and 3 nurses to finally get the IV in. I was miserable because I hate needles on top of that, but I know I'm hard to stick most of the time. As for the actual stress portion, I struggled a little bit on the treadmill to get my heart in the target range...but I figured if I was going to have a heart attack, being in the clinic and monitored by all the machines would probably be about the safest place to have one. In the end, it ended up being more waiting than stressful. Turns out I really just have anxiety issues, but they wanted to make sure my heart was ok given the symptoms I was showing at the time.

After having gone through it one time, I'd never get worried about doing it again. Just try relax and try to keep the molehill as just a molehill

 

[Carlyzmom]

I'm an RN that works in the Radiology department. Stress tests are what I do. I can tell you that in 10 years, nobody has ever had a heart attack during the stress test. The Thallium is a completely harmless radioactive material used to show blood flow in your heart. If your blood pressure is too high before the test, they can give you some type of medication to lower it before you get on the treadmill.
I know it seems scary. A big part of my job is reassuring patients that they will be closely watched and taken care of during the test. It's a safe and effective way to see if your heart is in good condition. Just tell the nurse/doctor your fears and concerns and most likely they can help. Good luck!!

 

[disfan07]

I have had 5 stress tests in teh past year. My most recent one was about 6 weeks ago and my next one is in about 4 weeks. I have severe asthma which causes my oxygen levels to drop occassionaly, plus a heart arrhythmia and recently we discovered that my blood pressure is plummeting when i exercise (whihc is why I am having another one done). For me, the risks are an asthma attack or my blood pressure dropping too low. So far neither has happened but that is because they monitor you so closely that there shouldnt be a chance for anything like that to happen. Honestly, it is definitely nothing to be concerned about.

Good luck

 

[zoemurr]

I have chronic pain so don't exercise at all. I get out of breath very easily which is why they did it.

The treadmill starts very slow and stays there for 3 min. Then it goes a bit faster for 3 min, then changes again. After 9 min I was in the target range and asked to stop before it went up again. I was at a brisk walk, but no where near where I thought I would have to be.

Easy peasy..
Good luck!

 

[nmmom95]

Thank you all! This makes me feel a lot better.

 

[mhsjax]

had a stress test about 1 year ago. I too have high blood pressure, that is made worse by severe white coat syndrome. (actually, not afraid of Drs but of the darn BP cuff) Anyway, I was closely watched and my BP started goin up so they made me stop. I felt fine but the insisted I stop.

My stupid BP wouldn't go down. They did determine that is was nerves, they gave me a little white pill and said it was some type of BP pill for extremely high BP. He laughed and told me that this would certainly take care of it.

By the time I was out of the building, I could hardly walk. My BP was really low for that whole night and into the next day.

I know not exactly what you asked for, but just wanted to give you my experience. Also, they said stress test was fine. I just need to calm down. lol