Awaiting stress EKG results

goldyfm · 02-20-2008, 11:04 AM

I had a stress EKG yesterday but did not run on treadmill, but rather had the injection. I asked the technician what was the target rate of heart rate and was indicated I only achieved mid 80's on the test after the injection. I have other issues that prevent me from doing the treadmill and have had some instances of chest pain lately (mostly at night). I describe it as a pulling type pain and then some stabbing and smothering type pain. I wonder how accurate the injection stress EKG is compared to the actual running. Does anyone have any info on this subject?

huckfinn · 02-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Goldy I am sorry but I have never had this test, either with the chemical injection or use of the treadmill. I do wonder about you max heart rate of the mid eighties only, that you achieved....

To me it invalidates the test results, unless the target heart rates are much lower than those of a nuclear imaged stress test, and I doubt that. Yours as well as mine should be around 145 bpm (for the nuke stress test).

Could it be that since you have a normally low heart rate, and you have valve problems as shown by more than a few echocardiograms, that they did not want your HR any higher than the mid eighties?

As far as the accuracy of running versus a chemically induced high heart rate, I would think the accuracy would be the same, as long as you met your target heart rate. It is done all of the time with regard to nuclear imaged stress test, that is chemically assisted versus use of the treadmill.

I wonder if they gave you the maximum dose of the chemical and you did not respond by achieving much higher heart rate, or if they only gave you a reduced dose due to your history?

Chest pain due to heart disease is so unique to all of us and we seem to describe it differently. I have had loads of real angina and I describe it as a dull, slightly burning pain radiating straight from my heart. I had a blockage that has been repaired that caused the same feeling in my back, directly behind my heart. The location of the blockage has a lot to do with where and how the pain is experienced. Of course I am getting off into the subject of CAD, instead of valvular disease.

The reason that I know what angina feels like for sure is when I had 2 of my 6 stents inserted, the Doc warned me that I was going to have a bad case of angina, because all of the blood flow to a certain area of my heart was going to be stopped while he inflated the balloon inside the stent that fully opens the wire mesh and presses it into the artery walls. This balloon stays inflated for 8-9 seconds. He was right! Wow what an attack of angina. Then he did it again while installing another stent. This time the pain did not stop and I thought I was having a heart attack (again). As they wheeled me out to recovery he said "don't worry, the angina will stop". It did after they maxed me out on morphine and nitroglycerine......War stories, lol.

Anyway, you should not have any chest pain at all. See your doctor!!! I have had some other "strange" heart pains, well I have them 24/7 and my heart feels "sore". I think it is the 6 stents and super high LVEDP. My LAD must look like a mess

....

My wife is causing me much distress nowadays. She does not understand my limitations even though she knows that I was never lazy. It really hurts when I do not have support from her, (or somebody, lol).

My Diastolic Heart Failure includes reduced cardiac output as my HR increases. Even the smallest of chores fully exhaust me. She doesn't understand, or possibly doesn't believe me. Well there are plenty of fish in the sea....Huckfinnn

Oh yeah, I hope you lose the pain soon. Please take care of yourself neighbor

Huchfinnn

goldyfm · 02-23-2008, 10:13 AM

Thanks Huck for your thoughts.

I got a call from my doctor (personally) who stated the Stress Test was abnormal and he wants to do an angiogram. He said it was not an emergency type situation, whatever that means, but that it did need followup. I am lost as to whether to seek this test immediately or if I can wait a few weeks. I was supposed to take care of some business that would take a couple of weeks away from home, but now I am wondering if I should delay. I now am hesitant to go away alone for a couple of weeks. I know that if they find a blockage and do angioplasty, I may be limited from travel for a while. I am researching this procedure now. Decisions, Decisions.

Huck, I do have valve problems, as you thought and am on Atacand to reduce the workload of the heart, as to whether that would affect the target heart rate is unknown to me. I did take the med prior to the test, so it could have had an effect on the test. I rest more than I am up lately. I know that I am deconditioned as one might say. I exhaust easily now and have not had good sleep since I was changed on Fibro meds. I sleep only 4 hours a night now if that. I even was given a temp handicap placard. I guess that shows my decline.

I know how stressful not having someone in your corner can be. I am pretty much alone when it comes to everyday and it is hard having all these tests, etc. I guess I will hire a driver when I have the angiogram. I dread even having to set it up. It is all so complicated when one is ill. Well I will ponder this dilemma over the weekend and decide Monday. I have already delayed my leaving. I just want to wake up one day with no health issues facing me squarely in the face.

jrmom1 · 02-23-2008, 12:11 PM

Goldy, if your Dr states an angiogram can wait, it can wait. Get your stuff done you need to. When he means yours is not am emergency, it means your test was abnormal, but not lifethreatening abnormal. 2 weeks is an average wait time for an outpatient, not hospitalized, awaiting an angiogram. Just dont overdue it, It sounds like you are fairly sedentary now anyways. As long as your business does not take you far from home, out of country, you should be fine ( I am thinking about insurance here)

Being in Canada, there use to be wait times of up to 9 months for an angiogram in an underserved area, so 2 weeks is very managable.

YOu will be very pleased after the angiogram is done. You will go in nervous but after it is done, will say it was not that bad . All the best to you

goldyfm · 02-23-2008, 12:44 PM

thanks for the reply jrmom. I will be approximately 800 miles from home during my trip. I worry that I may get stranded there and have no one with me. Also it is a 12 hour drive and that is so tiring. I also know what is to be done once I get there and then a 12 hour return trip. I really don't think I am up to it now. I am going to mull it over before I decide. I don't like the idea of being so far away from my doctors until I know what I am facing.