Dobutamine stress test.

[cakesandbakes]

I am scheduled to have a Dobutamine stress test which i previously attempted but due to the stress of it (its got the right name !) and the anxiety of it all, my blood pressure shot up and i couldn't continue. Just the thought of a chemical to race my heart makes me anxious. June 2021 I had a heart attack resulting in 4 stents . I had unintentional wgt loss and since then, in spite of eating well have only managed to gain 1 kilo in 2 years. My dilemma is do I accept the Dobutamine test at my local hospital as tried before or go to the Royal Brompton in London who I see once a year for sarcoidosis .They have offered me an exercise test on a bike without dobutamine. Trouble is this hospital is 60 miles away and i get very fatigued in the afternoons. Add that to the fact i am just getting over a slight meniscus tear in the knee although the appointment is for October. Reason for test is to ascertain the patency of the stents . Does anyone having had a previous heart attack and stents have any experience of either of these tests. I would be grateful to read your experiences. Thankyou .

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[Healthyheart1]

Morning, I hope you get the answers you need today. It's no good me saying to you don't worry when your pre programmed to worry. Hopefully people will be putting their comments soon and you will be able to find the answers you need. Good luck with everything, sending my love Sheena x x

[cakesandbakes in reply to Healthyheart1]

Thank you for your kind reply

[sickandsore]

Hi I’m not in the same situation as you regarding diagnosis however I have had the test, it’s not pleasant my advice is request an anti emetic before they start! I literally felt like I was having a heart attack during the stress test with that drug and started throwing up so they couldn’t continue.I’ve done the exercise test as well that wasn’t quite so bad in my experience.

All the best x

[cakesandbakes in reply to sickandsore]

Thank you for replying. Other people's experience is always welcome.

[Purpled]

Hi, I had the Dobutamine test a couple of years ago and like you I put the first one back cause the stress of having my heart made to race by a drug put e off. Well I put my big girl pants on and went to the second scheduled one and let me tell you I felt so silly thst I had worried so much. I just lay on my side they put the usual ecg leads on and had the Doppler like a usual echo the Canucks r they put in your heArt is started after the echo without drug. It is dropped into your arm at intervals I felt nothing for ages and then as the last lot was used I felt my chest pounding g like you had just run upstairs the test was then stopped as I had reached my maximum and the pounding lasts only a few seconds. There is a cardiologist with you at all times who does the drug monitoring. You are in safe hands and good thing is I didn’t need stents at this time x

[Nightmare2 in reply to Purpled]

Iknow your post is old, but i have just put my own experience on here EKG Stress Test, as the outc ome of it i would like people who are planning to have this to be warned, I wouldnever have this again no matter what and I am a tough sort of woman not much phases me but this drug nearly caused a heart attack for me. Either by the operatives doing it or just reaction to it.

[Purpled in reply to Nightmare2]

Yes this can happen, didn’t you have to sign a form to say you understood the possible side effects one being heart attack? It is very rare but this is why there is a doctor with you all the time besides the radiologist. I had the same reaction as you having the CT Angiogram it had to be stopped. Hope you are feeling ok now x

[Purpled]

Canucks r they put in your heArt Should read cannula they put in your arm x

[cakesandbakes in reply to Purpled]

Thank you for your reply. Ma I ask what in your case was the reason for test ? My main worry is that I have had a heart attack and 4 stents and the thought of racing it with a drug is not an inviting prospect !

[Purpled]

I was taken into hospital months earlier with suspected heart attack, tests revealed it was angina but apparently I had a minor HA before which I didn’t know about. Was to determine if I needed stents but ct angiogram revealed a tumour between lungs and in front of heart so test was needed to see if I could endure operation. All I would say is you have a cardiology consultant with you at all time and as soon as you feel the heart begin to race test is stopped so if you are going to have any sort of reaction you are in the best place xx

[cakesandbakes]

Gosh. I hope you are well now thankyou for replying

[annpavitt250448]

Had this test last monday, cause I have a totally blocked left artery. Have agreed to take part in a trial run by Basildon Cardiothoratic centre, in conjunction with Imperial college. To see whether stent or placebo effect is best.The test wasn't as bad as I feared. Had 3 lots of meds heart races and then had angina type chest pain for a few minutes.

Was fine afterwords when back on ward and a nice cup of tea and sandwich went down well. The only downside is have a nice bruise under left just now. On the plus side ,for me, is that my heart and valves are working fine.

You will be fine and you are able to go home after an hour or so, although you will have someone to drive you, as your not allowed to drive for 24 hours

[cakesandbakes]

Thankyou for your positive reply

[Billett]

Ive had one i worried but in the end un necessarily because its all done to suit you height weight and age then they only take it to suit your needs i thought they would just put drugs in and make your heart race its all calculated and it was nice and easy

[Nightmare2 in reply to Billett]

You were one of the lucky ones, but the ot ehr side of the coin has to be noted aswell.