Treadmill test

[Samazeuilh2]

As an aid to diagnosing persistent chest pains - the consultant thinks they are non-cardiac but wants to investigate a bit more-I’m to be given a treadmill test in a few weeks. I asked for this instead of the more rigourous but not very pleasant “stress test”. The heart rate will be raised to 100 during the test. I wondered if anyone who has PAF had gone into AF when doing the test?

[mjames1]

I did. It's one of the risks if you're gonna be exercising more than usual. By the way, no one seemed at all phased by the fact I went into a fib, except myself. I guess it's not all that uncommon. And FWIW going into afib during an exercise stress test doesn't mean you necessarily fail and not going into afib doesn't mean you pass.

Jim

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for the reply.

[secondtry]

I'm sceptical, I would ask more Q's on pros, cons & alternatives before going ahead. If you are then convinced it is worth it, fine.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to secondtry]

They preferred the stress test, but said I should do one or the other. They admitted the stress test wasn’t the most pleasant one. Thanks for the reply.

[MalcolmCClark]

HiI had the medically induced stress test. Not pleasant but I endured it.

Unfortunately when they gave me the meds to reverse it I suffered a serious AF episode with SVT

It happened again when they did another stress test about 18 months later.

However when I went for a cardiac MRI at St Thomas's with the new AI assisted scanner I had no adverse reaction to the stress medication.

The treadmill test would be considered necessary so I would personally still go ahead but discuss my concerns with the consultant.

The treadmill test is a means to investigate and hopefully get to the bottom of any problems.

This has to be a positive step forward.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

I discussed with the consultant and he said the stress test is more reliable but more uncomfortable. He said the treadmill was acceptable as an alternative however.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to MalcolmCClark]

The consultants himself said the stress test often isn’t pleasant and if a doctor says that you know that it isn’t!

[Vonnegut]

I had chest pains that turned out to be from a damaged oesophagus due to acid reflux as it seems I have a hiatus hernia now!

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Vonnegut]

Reflux was mentioned at my meeting. I’m not aware of any at the moment but have had it in the past. It can be very painful.

[Vonnegut in reply to Samazeuilh2]

I was taken to hospital in an ambulance where I spent ages waiting to find I had it! I’m hoping my oesophagus will get better eventually now I’m taking Omeprazole regularly - I used to do a daily exercise which was supposed to push the top of the stomach back down through the diaphragm that a friend who didn’t get on with the drug found but I don’t seem to have any more problems taking it. Hope you get it sorted.

[babs1234]

I have started to go in AF when I do my sports activities.

[AustinElliot]

I did a treadmill test 3 months ago (have had Paroxysmal AF for about 2 years) Mine is not exercise induced.

I was worried before it, but I did the test with no discomfort, the Cardiologist even ran it for an extra 3 minutes no AF, passed no problems.

Good fortune on your test

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to AustinElliot]

Thanks. Did they tell you to pause heart medication before the test? I’m told they try to get the heart up to 100bpm.

[AustinElliot in reply to Samazeuilh2]

No pause in medication. I am on 180mg Diltiazem. The treadmill will get over 100 no problem.

I think they want it over 140. They up it every 3 minutes. Minimum is 9 minutes I think, they did 12 with me, and it was over 140 for around 6 minutes of that.

Hope that helps.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to AustinElliot]

Thanks!

[2learn]

Hi, I have arthritis in my knees so had the test on an exercise bike, seemed so easy didn't even sweat. I was also on bisoprolol at the time so I don't know whether that kept AF away.

[FraserB]

I also did the treadmill and did not have any problems. I'm paroxysmal afib but before I went on it, I was also nervous that it would set off my flutter/afib. When on it I kept asking the technician about my heart rhythm. He said no problem keep going and sure enough I did.