Nickerson,
Stopping a beta blocker before a stress test is a standard procedure. Most labs and doctors require that people who are reasonably healthy do this. The reason for this is that beta blockers blunt the heart rate response. This is not desirable if the test is to assess the CAD risk. Whether or not the beta blockers should be discontinued depends mostly on the reason for the stress test and the general health of the person. Some patients' condition does not encourage stopping of the medication. The beta blockers do not need to be discontinued if a reason for the symptoms while on the beta blockers is being sought. The heart rate response in this case is not important, as long as the exercise effort during the test exceeds the effort which is experienced with the symptoms when they occur. However, most doctors will ask the patients to stop this medication if their physical condition allows.
I cannot speak for others, because everyone is different. My blood pressure is always elevated before the test. This could be as much due to anxiety about the results as to having missed a couple of doses of the beta blocker. All baseline readings are taken at rest -heart rate, blood pressure and an ECG. I think that a blood pressure that's somewhat elevated, like mine, 150's/90's does not raise the risk of an adverse event too much. The monitoring during the test is CONSTANT. I am not sure what is considered the cutoff for blood pressure. It probably depends on the health status of the individual.
Don't worry about going without the beta blocker for a little while. You won't even miss it. It takes a while for the withdrawal symptoms to appear. Your dose of labetalol is very small. You should not have any problems. If you want to, you can bring the pills to the hospital with you and take them after the test. Just to be on the safe side, ask you doctor how soon after the test it would be safe to take it. They monitor you until your vitals return to baseline and won't let you leave until everything is back to normal. The test will be a breeze. You might even surprise yourself and do much better than you anticipate. Good luck!
flowergirl
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