Stress Test, confused..

I had a nuclear stress test today. I have been experiencing fatigue, mild swelling in my feet, sob, and recently for the last several days long periods of intermittent chest pain. I had posted a week or so about my low hr while walking. I went to my EP on Friday and he turned my RR on in an effort to improve my hr during exercise and told me to continue taking the flecainide and the toporol which he put me on over a month ago. He ordered a stress test for today...

When we started the treadmill portion of the test my BP was 112/75, HR 72. My first BP reading was 120/65, hr was slowly climbing. Second BP 127/65, hr was still slowly climbing. Third stage when i started running my hr was slowly climbing but not above the 120's and started to have an irregular rythim. The tech took my bp and it was 150/60. She stopped the treadmill, thank god because I felt like my legs were made of concrete, and said they would go ahead and use the medication instead to finish the test.

That was that, I finished the last portion of imaging and left. Felt really crappy the rest of the day.

I was shocked that I could not complete the treadmill portion. Has anyone had this happen to them? Can anyone explain why my BP would do that? I don't understand why the lower number would not come up, if anything it went down?

PS, did not take my BB the night before the test..


5 Comments

My thoughts

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-30 02:08:15

The flecainide is intended for treating severe arrythmia and the toporol is to regulate BP and possibly for angina.

These are serious meds and you shouldn't expect to be able to pursue the exercise levels with normal readings as long as you are on them. They also seem to indicate that the doctor is not being totally honest with you about your condition. Unless you just don't want to know I would ask at your followup appt.

sorry to be so blunt, but it concerns me.

frank

Concerns me..

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-08-30 11:08:51

Up until this point I really thought I was fine. I have had no indication to think I am otherwise. That is why I was surprised by my readings yesterday. Then of course I did some reading on the Internet last night and was shocked at what I read. I knew I have an arrythmia, and understand why he placed me on the toporol. Neither of which would lead me to believe I have any of the conditions I read about. I know reading the Internet does not replace a discussion/diagnosis from my EP but without having a chance to do so, I knew something was not right, and reach out to the group as well.

I am not offended by your bluntness and appreciate your response.

At this point I'm waiting to hear back from my EP and hoping everything is fine which I know, based on my symptoms something is up. Trying to not think about it at least when the chest pain is at bay :)

Thanks again for the response and appreciate anyone else jumping in who may have had a similar experience.

Pressure range..

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-08-31 01:08:14

Is the part I'm not understanding. Why would I have such a wide BP range at increased exercise level. Could it be caused by my settings? I have a normal range at rest. If anything my BP has been low since I went on the toporol last month. I'm not sure how long it will take for the results of the test. A little frustrated, had to leave work today after a few hours from the chest pain and horrible fatigue. The chest pain was not bad enough to go to the ER so I went home and slept the day away.

Thanks

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-31 12:08:35

I appreciate your feedback. I never know if I'm going too far with my comments.

I would certainly ask what justifies the flecainide. It is always possible that it is the cause rather than a treatment for the arrythmia during exercise. Many docs pay little attention to the prescribing information and warnings for some of these strong meds. The information states:

Flecainide is used to prevent certain types of life-threatening irregular heartbeats.

good luck with it,

frank

Not heart related

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-09-01 01:09:54

Thought I would post an update... Other than my arrythmia my stress test was fine according to the nurse. She suggested I see my GP since I was still experiencing symptoms.

Had been treated for a sinus infection a few weeks ago. When I went today my GP did a chest x-ray= Crud in my lungs, and gave me a stronger AB to clear them out. Glad no new heart issue and will take the next opportunity with my EP to discuss the Flecainide and if there isn't another pharmaceutical option.

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