I had a heart attack and stent ( LAD 98% blockage) a few months ago . Cardiologist still doesn't know if I had a second heart attack after the stent ( As Troponin levels were 300 instead of 8 )
I've been getting chest pain and feeling dizzy, breathless and generally unwell. .
My Cardiologist has booked me to have a Stress Test whereby they inject you with fluid to race your heart. I told him that I'd heard some people had died after having a stress test . His reply was ' You can die crossing the road'
I'd just like to know what the Stress Test entails . Plus , how risky is it?
BTW A Cardiologist friend of my sister had said that the Stress Test was very risky as people had died or had heart attacks as a result of the Stress Test . (I can't ask him as he passed away from cancer. )
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I had 2 pressure wire studies (stress tests). It is very well controlled and monitored procedure. Mine was an angiogram with an extra wire and they measure blood flow in/out which gives them a ratio, and indicates if any narrowing that is intermediate is causing more problems than is immediately apparent. They give you a bolus of adenosine which makes your heart go like the clappers and you feel crap as it happens. But it’s over fairly fast and you feel fine afterwards. They may even stent while they’re in there so bonus!
It’s not my favourite test but it’s not that bad. Leave google alone!
Thanks very much for letting me know what it entails. Did you have it done in the UK?
I had a very bad experience when I had my stent . The doctor didn't know what he was doing, I bled a lot, got a clot, high blood pressure etc . So , I guess that's why I'm concerned about this Stress Test!
I had this done as a follow up (7-8 months after) I had stent fitted also 99% blockage of LAD I didn’t have a heart attack but after some random pains 3 -4 months after the angioplasty I was scheduled for stress test - I think this is different to what sillyfroggy describes but similar in that it includes introduction of something to speed up your heart.
I was apprehensive too but all went well and outcome was reassuring. It is all very controlled and over fairly quickly. Please don’t worry in the general scheme of things it really isn’t that bad and they get a comprehensive insight into your heart working under stress, it’s a bit odd but not scary honestly
I'm sorry I don't really know . I can't use a treadmill due asthma, arthritis etc so the Cardiologist told me that they'd inject me with fluid. He didn't explain anything !
Sounds like a nuclear stress test where they inject you with a vasodilator to replicate the heart under stress and then take some images to check for areas of poor blood flow.
I had one last month, no problem at all and certainly nothing to worry about.
I’ve had 2 stress tests which involve the introduction of a drug via a canula during a MRI scan. Frankly it is not the most pleasant experience but manageable. You have headphones with a technician talking you through and a panic button. It’s noisy and it makes you anxious. A second drug cancels the first very quickly. It’s worth gritting your teeth and going through it because the 20 minutes provides valuable insights to your heart’s working and where any issues are. I’ve never heard of any problems as a result. I suspect that is an urban myth. Good luck.
Thank you . It helps a lot to know exactly what it entails. I'm a bit worried as the hospital have made mistakes with me eg put another patient's blood test on my chart etc etc.
I recently had an MRI stress test with a drug to stimulate heart. Very controlled, but lasted 45 minutes. They ask you to hold your breath (anywhere between 8-10 seconds, deep breath, measured breathing throughout) Feels like you've climbed a mountain after. Made my ectopics and heart rate go all over the place for 48 hours. But I survived and I'm awaiting results back 5 weeks later.
I agree with susuosulii I too had a cardiac resonance scan at Brompton hospital about 2 months ago.... Still waiting for my cardiologist to give me the full results. But that is another story, but I was informed that due to the stress test that they can confirm that my cardiac event was not bought on by exercising.
It is very well controlled, although very annoyingly noisy. The operative was very confident and professional.
The stress part when they injected me was short lived but frightening, I said to her I had enough and she said it is OK to feel that way it was normal. Very drained but here to tell the tale. ❤️And Tbh its a fantastic invention as can look at every aspect of your heart unlike an angiogram.
Thanks for the info and your honesty. I just want to know exactly what happens . I'm at Barnet . The nurses are amazing there but the docs have made major mistakes with me there . So I guess I am a bit apprehensive .
I didn't know that the procedure gave so much information about the heart. I think I will definitely have it done .
That's OK. It is a very extensive scan, the nurse made sure my vitals, and kidney was OK before I was scanned.
They are very professional and reassuring. Try not to worry and think too much about it. I just thought how I was fortunate to be seen in Brompton and have the opportunity of this scan, which details in full. Mine was an hour but I see some are less.
Get used to breathing in and out and her annoying voice 🙄.
I’m going for the Perfusion MRI on Nov 7. 2 cannulae - one for contrast material and one for the adenosine. Will last about an hour all told. Not particularly looking forward to it, but prefer my cardiologist being super thorough.
Having heart problems brings lots of things with it - some unpleasant, some irritating (I am SO over blood tests!) and some good (weight loss/dropping dress sizes) but it’s truly amazing what the medical profession can do for us. I wonder how many of us would be here if our heart attacks had happened 20 years ago...
You are right about the weight loss . I've lost a stone in weight . And yes having heart issues does bring problems with it too !
You're so very right , the procedures are amazing these days . In a Cardio rehab talk they showed us a stent and tube etc . It was fascinating to see .
My mum had an emergency bypass at Harefield hospital many years ago. They have bungalows in the grounds where you can rent a room. I stayed there with my sister in law. It really is just an incredible hospital . People there have heart and lung transplants there too. It was a very humbling experience.
Hi my daughter had a CMRI (Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit) at Brompton hospital London a few months ago. I was allowed to sit next to her and hold her hand as she is a young mum. It was 8 months after her cardiac events. She had a full LAD tear following x3 Non stemi’s but no stent’s due to the nature of her condition (SCAD). Two cannulas placed, one in the back of each hand. The scan was for about an hour and she was allowed to lay face down. We both had earphones on and they communicated to her every step of the way. She had got really anxious beforehand and told them this. Having me next to her helped as I was able to reassure her – take something warm the mobile units are a bit chilly (even in June!). She was hugely relieved when it was all done and she deserved a little treat. The fluid to make the heart race was injected towards the end of the scan and lasted for a few minutes to place the heart under stress to see how it would cope. My daughter found it an unpleasant experience but the results gave a very clear picture of the damage and what is going on. Previous CT scans had all been inconclusive so it was the best results we had. It was reassuring to finally have some answers but we had to wait a further 8 weeks for the results.
Thank you so much for the information . It really does help to know what's going to happen ! The Brompton seems to be a very good hospital . I've had Barnet and Royal Free and both made mistakes with me . But I'm still here to tell the tale! And in the end it was okay.
I'm sorry that your daughter's been through so much . She's very lucky to have a mum like you .
I was referred for this test and was so scared of the effects I discussed it with my GP and didn't go. 2 weeks later I had a heart attack. Could it have shown the blockage and avoided it or woudl it have caused one to happen earlier. NO idea.
I have extremely bad musculoskeletal problems for years. I was getting dreadfully out of breath when going upstairs or exerting myself BUT only when I stood upright. If I went upstairs bent over on hands and feet I was fine so my GP decided my back muscles were going into spasm and the stress test wasn't necessary.( I wouldn't have been able to stand up to do the treadmill test). It was an on call young doctor who asked about family history, decided it was likely to be heart and ordered the test. Sometimes it can be helpful when a GP doesn't know the rest of your medical history.
Gosh sorry you've been through so much . You are so right sometimes GP's presume it's just your regular medical condition rather than a new one. It helps a great deal when another doctor looks at you through fresh eyes . I'm glad that happened in your case.
Thanks, well he ordered teh test but my GP insisted I cancel it; two weeks beforethe heart attack. Don't know whether I'm glad or not. It seems likely I would have had a worse heart attack during the test.
NO, it wasn't to save money. He genuinely thought it was a muscular problem. I have DDD so my back and chest muscles often go into spasm. Apart from my mum's history, there was no reason to suspect heart. However he never asked family history whereas the on call young doctor did.
Okay , that's good ! My cholestral level was 10 , and my GP refused to give me Statins . I talked to her about it , when she finally admitted it was due to the cutbacks. (After my H.A my Cardiologist put me on them) . So I presumed it was the same for you as your GP cancelled the test .I'm glad wasn't !
Sorry , I don't know what DDD is . But it sounds very painful .
In my experience GPS are never concerned about family history . The hospital doctors often ask about family history. Good that he did!
Well I just had a text from them saying I can no longer get the ointment for my dry eyes by prescription due to cut backs. I will have to buy it but to deny statins with such high numbers is negligence. They way they are taking things off prescription, a lot of people just won't buy their medicines because of the cost. It may only seem like one item but there are already 4 things I can no longer have prescribed.
That's ridiculous ! And terrible ! Four medications is a lot to take off your prescription , I'm afraid it's our lousy government who punish the sick and make the rich richer. You're right people won't buy their meds because over the counter meds are expensive.
Yes it was negligence by my GP ! They did nothing about my high blood pressure either.
Well I don't believe the NHS should be paying for cheap things on prescription like aspirin and paracetamol but I use two things for my eyes, ointment and drops. The ointment costs about £4 but the drops are over £12 a bottle and have to be thrown away 21 days after opening.
I've had 3 of them. I did have pretty severe chest pain one time with it but it just lasts seconds. I prefer it over the treadmill method and it seems to show blockage better than treadmill but that may just be with me.
I had that stress test done its not very nice but it only lasts a few minutes and the nurse is there the whole time and its better to have it than not,hope this helps
Yes it does help. Thank you very much for replying . It's re-assuring to know that the nurse will be there. My sister hopefully will come with me to the appointment otherwise I'll be on my own.
I had my two last week and yesterday absolutely nothing to them. They had well before the tests sent a leaflet on it and Dr Google and the NHS web site has it all as well.
Don’t worry had my first cardio stress test , 2014 injected with adrenaline , under close supervision, two months following heart attack and one stent fitted, no problem, not painful,
Had follow up same procedure injected with dye, and adrenaline 2023 took heart rate up to 120 I am 77 , no problem again, stent clear , ten years apart almost . Try not to worry or listen to scary stories. I didn’t consider or feel the procedure was risky, and I was pleased with result which made me to put Heart problems behind me and enjoy life I play golf and walk 18 teen holes on the course, without fear.
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