Been a while cause all has been “quiet.” I have been taking Flecainide 50 twice a day, Eliquis 5 twice a day, metoprolol 15 in am and 12.5 in evening. It’s been a year. Occasional blip but nothing to talk about really. I’m 66, female, and exercise aerobically 4-5 times a week. Sleep and eat well, work full-time.
Last electrophysiologist appointment, he said he would see me in 6 months and that he wants to do a stress test. I had every test prior to starting my regimen . Should I worry that this routine could do damage to my heart? Or is he just wanting to keep an eye on things?
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Cos56
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Flecainide requires a structurally sound heart. I had a stress test prior to taking it and then after a few weeks to look for any changes. Could be that. But why guess and be stressed out. Just ask him why he's ordering the stress test.
As stated, Flec should not be prescribed with structural issues or heart failure. It sounds like you had prior testing done so your Dr should already be aware of this. A stress test can be done a few different ways and is usually a front line test done when there's a history of heart issues (breathing problems, angina, arrhythmia, etc.). I've had to stop the Metoprolol prior to mine so they can get an accurate picture of your heart rate under activity. I doubt they would wait 6 months if they were urgently worried about something. As mentioned, send an inquiry to the doctor's office to ask what they are looking for with this test.
This sounds like a Bruce protocol test. I had one several years ago and it provided useful information. At that time I was really into cardio regimes. Without symptoms, I hadn't realised that exercise triggered atrial fibrillation, and then it flip-flopped with atrial flutter.
Mmmm...I was put on a treadmill, then asked to sign a disclaimer then pushed to reach a certain high heart rate. As I knew exertion was one of the reasons that triggered my AF I only went up to about 80% of the rate they wanted to see. They accepted that.
Just a personal thing (I know many patients are different) I like to know why I am having the test and what level of problem it is if I don't. I also don't like my anxiety increased by 2 medics standing by and a disclaimer notice to sign at the last moment.
I haven't had one since and I have been on 200mgs Flecainide for 9 yrs but thank you for the post as I will raise the point on my next regular review with my cardiologist.
Up until a few years ago, I was asked to come in for a stress test which had me walk vigorously on a treadmill until I was 1 second away from collapsing, fall on to the table, and hold my breath while my heart was trying to jump out of my chest!
I guess they were trying to induce a heart attack. If I did not die, I was good to go!
The last several stress tests I have had were nothing like that. They were pretty easy, and I don't remember exactly what they did. Find out what the test will involve and what risks there are. You can always refuse it.
I have had 3 stress tests to test the performance of the heart under stress. The first, 12 years ago, was on a treadmill when I got up to 10 METS, whatever that means, but it was considered good. The subsequent 2 were lying down. I was given intravenous drugs to raise the heart rate for a few minutes and then lower it again. There was a CT scan after that and they then came out with figures for Ejection Fraction, which was also fortunately ok.
The cardiology team said it's important to show the pumping action of the heart. Flecainide should not be prescribed if there is any sign of heart plumbing problems. (AF is after all an electrical fault which is different).
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