Nuclear stress test: This test is... - British Heart Fou...

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Nuclear stress test

megnben profile image
23 Replies

This test is booked for a weeks time and am so scared ,am okay with most of it but the actual drug to stress heart really bothes me after reading other accounts so will I really be voming etc ?

Can anyone help with a more positve story and tell me how long the initial breathlessness etc lasts ,is it minutes or more

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megnben profile image
megnben
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23 Replies
ChoochSiesta profile image
ChoochSiesta

I have had it twice and could hardly notice any effects.

megnben profile image
megnben in reply toChoochSiesta

Thanks for a little reassurance ,i always react to the dye used for different scans and panic at the horrible sensation

in reply tomegnben

I shortly have a procedure which also involves the use of contrast dye. I thought it just created a warm sensation which lasts about 30 seconds. Could you describe the sensation in more detail so I know what to expect? Sounds as if it might be more unpleasant than I expected.

ChoochSiesta profile image
ChoochSiesta in reply to

It's not unpleasant at all. It's exactly as you described.

megnben profile image
megnben in reply to

It made me have palpitations and then a bit of panic but thats just me you will be fine

Beatle45 profile image
Beatle45 in reply toChoochSiesta

Same bere

Beatle45 profile image
Beatle45 in reply toBeatle45

Same here I meant. No problems at all.

Henry20 profile image
Henry20

MegnbenI had a stress test with the heart rate increased by drugs. It felt strange and a bit uncomfortable but I didn't feel I would vomit. Everything returned to normal quickly during the period at the end while they reviewed the results while I was still there linked in. I was fine to walk out, but felt tired. I was glad not to be driving. Don't worry, they monitored me all the time while they gathered the data needed to see what was wrong with me.

There was a doctor present for the whole procedure. I enjoyed a cuppa when I got home.

Henry

in reply toHenry20

Hello would you recommend not driving, just in case?

Skylajean profile image
Skylajean

Nothing to worry about. I had it and didnt notice hardly anything

Larneybuds profile image
Larneybuds

Good morning....like so many of the heart tests, the thought of the procedure and the unknown, are so often much worse than what actually happens. The staff are so good at what they do and I have found are also very caring. Stress and anxiety are good at causing nausea too so the more anxious you get, the bigger it will all seem. So many of us have been in your position and you will get slightly differing accounts. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised at how very calming the staff were and how I didn't feel or experience anything unpleasant. I hope I all goes well for you. Take care

Gooner045 profile image
Gooner045

I had one recently at the UCH in Warren St, slight breathlessness, worst part was not having tea and coffee for so long beforehand

Lala49 profile image
Lala49

I've just had this done. It wasn't as bad as you think. It lasts a couple of minutes and that's it. Bonus is the cup of tea after 😍

bee2 profile image
bee2

Is that the test you have to go back the next day and drink plenty of water to flush your system?

Hello thanks for asking the question, as with most stuff on this site, one person asks but helps loads of other people. Just got my letter this morning to book my nuclear medicine heart scan. Took some chasing. Wish you well with yours, please do let us know how you got on.

STUBAX profile image
STUBAX

I've had this test done over 2 consecutive days, day 1 was the stress test where you are injected to stress the heart, felt very strange for a couple of minutes with doctor telling me to take deep breaths and then all settled down before going in to scanner. 2nd day was a repeat of day 1 without the injection. Drove myself both days and had no aftereffects. 👍

pasigal profile image
pasigal

I have had 2 nuclear stress tests. To be honest, the first one was pretty bad in terms of feeling flushed, shaky and nauseous. That passed after a few minutes (and after drinking a Coke). I believe I had a vasovagal reaction, in which my BP dropped quite low.

The second time was much better, probably because I knew exactly what was going to happen. It's fine to be apprehensive about all these procedures.

DD13 profile image
DD13

I was fine with mine. You are pretty well looked after, all the time you are there.Regards Dee.

Cookie2020 profile image
Cookie2020

You are winding yourself up for no reason everything will be fine just lay back and enjoy it.I have had this treatment three times now with no problems 👍

Knit4fun profile image
Knit4fun

Please stop worrying I had the test and was fine. I had a doctor and two technicians with me the whole time so felt in safe hands. For me it showed my heart is now fine so after over a year of post HA anxiety I have finally started to relax.

megnben profile image
megnben in reply toKnit4fun

Had a bad experience this morning on my way to shops when I felt so ill and breathless so now I say bring it on so hopefully it can be sorted

Knit4fun profile image
Knit4fun

That’s the right attitude to have without the test you will be forever worried. It proved to me that the symptoms I had which sound similar to yours this morning were caused by anxiety and the meds which are both now being sorted. Hope yours is the same.

EndyII profile image
EndyII

I had nuclear profusion / stress test., hardly felt a thing, a small feeling in the chest, increased heart movement. I am glad I had it because it confirmed I was getting sufficient oxygen throughout my heart muscle even though I have some significant narrowing in one artery. Which also confirmed my A&E visit were most likely not heart related, which was causing significant anxiety. This allowed me to feel more comfortable exercising a bit harder and longer, and after a few months I feel even better now that I am getting back into shape. The short of it , I was scared for months worrying about my problems, and after finding out with more precision then other tests what I could do, it took a huge weight off my shoulders. Better to know and take it from there, even if you might vomit. Take care

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