Hi.....

My doc has ordered a Dobutamine nuclear stress test for next Wednesday as part of my surgical clearance (total hip replacement at the end of the month).

I had a nuclear stress test done about 12 years ago....exercising on a bike. Because of the bad hip, the Dobutamine will be injected this time.

Can anyone give me an idea what to expect? I realize that my heart will probably feel like it's pounding out of my chest....and am freaking over this. Sort of think I'd rather try the bike....in spite of the pain in the hip.

Some re-assurance please?

Thanks so much,
Linda

Hi Linda I had the dobutamine injection with my nuclear stress test as when i just did the stress test on the bike i couldnt get my heart rate up high enough cos of the beta blocker. I was terrified as you and i quite understand your fear as the dr's will. Mine only lasted for 5 minutes and i had to slowly pedal a bike as well. Its a very strange sensation as you have no control over it but its not that bad. If you think back to when you last had a good run up a hill! and your heart is really thumping as you get to the top - thats exactly what it feels like. They will be monitoring you at all times and if you are desperate for it to be stopped they can stop it immediately. Remember dont panic and just breathe deeply. Good luck. Let me know how you got on.

Hello Linda,

I am a 48 year old male and I have had two nuclear stress test in the past 14 months. The first on was done via a dobutamine injection due to a knee injury I had at the time. The second was a nornal treadmill nuclear stress test as my knee was in better shape.

When I had the test with the dobutamine, I was a little concerned as well, but it really was pretty easy and comfortable. Once they get you hooked up and relaxed on the table and have a stable heart rate and pulse, they inject the dobutamine. They told me the effect would be immediate and likewise when they stop the injection, the effect would stop immediately. When they did the injection I immediately felt like I had just finished cutting my lawn! I could feel the same sensation in my heartbeat and breathing that I had felt every Saturday afternoon of my entire life!. The only difference was that I felt a little flushed on my face. Your heart rate will increase and your breathing will feel like you just got done running.

It took just a couple of minutes for me to reach my targeted heart rate at which point they injected the Thallium. They waited one more minute and stopped the injection and the sensations stopped IMMEDIATELY, it was amazing. I went back to feeling completely normal, no residual effects at all. The entire time I had a cardiologist standing by to make sure everything went well.

As I said, my last nuclear stress test was a normal treadmill test back in late March. I can tell you from having done both it wouldn't matter to me which type of test I had, they were both pretty much the same. The important thing is that both came back normal so I can't complain!

I would not be a bit concerned about doing another nuclear stress test with dobutamine again if it was necessary, it really was not a big deal at all.

Good Luck!

Tony

To you both for your replies.....

I'd rather be prepared by knowing what to expect....don't like surprises!!!

Best wishes,
Linda

Nothing to be scared of.....I have had a couple....all they do is check your vitals before you walk on a treadmill. They get your heart rate up to a certain point and then check you again. They have you hooked up to different monitors and if I remember correctly, they have shot a nuclear medicine in you thru an IV. Then the cardiologist can actually see any blockages as you are walking the treadmill. The cardiologist is in there during the entire test which probably takes total 30 minutes....really...nothing to be scared of.