medicated stress test

Well, my last post long disappeared, so I will start a new one. I finally got a call back from my doctor’s office the other day and they are having me come in on Monday for a medicated stress test. I have never had one of these done before and I know that my arteries are clear so not sure what to expect. Anyone ever have one of these done post pacemaker implant?

5 Comments

Test called off

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-06-05 02:06:53

Well, I got a call from the doc's office today and they have called off the test for now as they do not have access to the nuclear drug that is needed (they ran out and can't get anymore by Monday). So, I guess I will just have to deal with the pain a bit longer. Hopefully they will figure something out.

Michael

Nuclear Stress Test

by chip - 2009-06-05 08:06:20

Could you be refering to a Nuclear Stress Test? I've had many of these and they are a walk in the park.

Info can be found here:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nuclear-stress-test/AN00168

I see these tests done everyday

by Angelie - 2009-06-05 10:06:08

the above is true, but just wanted to add a couple things.
Adenosine is a drug that "mimics" exercise by dilating your blood vessels. The side effects are correct above, but it can also make you nauseaus. It is a very short acting drug, and quickly dissipates- as do the side effects.
Thallium, or Cardiolite will be used to make your heart show up under the camera. This isotope is NOT a drug and will not make you sick or cause you any ill effects. It is not a dye, as some people believe. The isotope has about as much radiation as a chest x-ray and without it your heart will not show up under the scanner.
The scanner takes 64 pictures (slices) of your heart tissue. It identifies any areas of your heart tissue that are ischemic- or not getting proper blood supply.


well

by jessie - 2009-06-05 11:06:32

after my sudden need for a p.m. and not having heart problems previously i think they needed to know where i was at. guess what no blockages. i did a cartwheel because i smoked enough to cause blockages before. my best friend said but you never finished them. i always smoked outside and she said you would light one and then go doa chore inside. i don't know if that is what saved me but i am really grateful for sure. so another cool sunny day here but hopefully by next week we will have the heat we have been waiting for. our daughter is dropping in for a few days to see us. just her...it will be lovely to see her. hopefully the munchkins come in july. if so it will year number six for them to visit us.we put a pool in a few years ago for us but they love it too since there is no unheated pools in alberta.well here i am rambling. jessie

Chemical Stress Test

by SMITTY - 2009-06-05 12:06:02

Hello ShadowWeaver,

I haven't had a chance to read all of the comments closely, so I may be repeating something. But I've had several chemical stress tests and the drug used for me each time was dipridamole (generic Persantine) and there is one side effect I want to mention. Dipridamole gives me the dangedest headache you can imagine, causes some nausea, and in general makes me feel about as miserable as I ever want. Now the good part, just as soon as they finish the test (even before I leave that room) I am given an antidote to counteract the effects of the dipridamole and the speed with which it works is unbelievable. I honestly think it took less than 30 second for me to be feeling normal again.

The only reason I mention this is if you get dipridamole and have the same reaction as I do, I just wanted you to know it is not a long term trip to hell. As I said you will be over it almost instantly after being given the antidote.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.