I am due to have a stress echo next week and wondering if this is safe for a 76 year old.
I have AF but have been in sinus for 18 months and also have an aneurysm that has been stable for 10 years. The echo has been requested as I occasionally get out of breath walking.
Would like to hear of any experiences good or bad!
Thank you so much
if it’s the same test that my husband, aged 81, had then he found it a piece of cake. Though he doesn’t have an aneurysm.
I think they wouldn’t suggest a test if they thought it might damage you.
I was told I'm having one in 6 months time, I think it's mainly to reassure me that the chest discomfort I get isn't cardiac related. I've had one before when I was 13 but I honestly don't even remember what's involved in a stress echo test x hope yours goes well ❤️
thank you Yumz
Hello. I had one last week and was really anxious about it. But it was absolutely fine. The staff were really reassuring and supportive, you are monitored throughout and there is a doctor with you the whole time. They turn the speed/incline of the treadmill up very gradually and if there are any concerns they would stop the test.
hi Foxglove!
Completely understand your nervousness, I had a stress echo only last week and was rather anxious not really knowing what to expect. The letter from the hospital says risk of issues 1 in 1000 but even a risk so low, my little head went off in all sorts of direction's!
However as always they were very kind and reassuring, it was very calm and no drama, yes a weird feeling laying down, relaxed and talking with your heart trotting away like a steam train - can’t say it was troublesome just a bit surreal!
Anyway they kept a very close watch and chatting all the time - it was soon over and the reassurance they gave me made it worthwhile
Hope it goes well. Try to keep the noise in your head under control - I would certainly not worry about having another in the future if it was necessary
Best wishes
i had a stress test a few weeks ago and i am 74. I was well monitored, i did get a bit out of puff but thats what the test is for to see how your heart reacts to exertion. I found it the least scary test so far and you have staff on hand should you struggle. Hope it goes well.
That’s reassuring worrywart. Thank you
Did you manage the whole time or stop when you got out of puff. Want it over 😆
Yes you could stop when you got out of puff, good luck 🤞🏻
thank you!x
Hi foxglove I had one last Thursday . You are very carefully monitored with a doctor and technician. I sat on a a bike tilted to one side . It a normal echo to begin with and you then just pedal and the resistance is built up. There are ECG wires to monitor electric performance of the heart and the doctor then continues with the echo to se what happens during exercise. They will stop when it starts to get hard and then continue monitoring until the heart calms down Felt very safe all carried out in a very controlled environment
I am 77 and very claustrophobic. I had an echocardiogram a couple of months ago as part of my diagnosis of aortic stenosis.I was very apprehensive.
I was sat up a bit as I just cannot lay flat. Layer on left side for about 10 mins and then on right side for about 10mins.
I didn't really like it but managed it ok.
Hope you manage it OK.
hi Gooner
Thank you but I think you might mean the echocardiogram on its own? My test is a Stress Echo which combines exercise with the echocardiogram.
Have had several echo’s and they’re almost relaxing!
All the best
think it can be either but they have used a bike for me both times I have had a stress test Makes it easier for them to monitor. May be age related?
Had one done age 76 last spring and with a doctor, a technician and a nurse all present as is required so I felt well looked after. At one point they all said to stop due to my heart starting to struggle (I have 2 partially narrowed cardiac arteries.) There was no risk involved and I could see my graph with the blips too. I then went a month later for the angiogram where I could actually see where there is narrowing of the 2 arteries. It was worth the time and effort to get that done.
Sometimes if they think you can't cope with "real exercise", I believe you can be given an injection instead which makes your heart work faster but you are not physically exercising. My friend had one , no problems, although she has a complicated heart issue.
Hi Foxglove
As so many have written here, often the anxiety is ill founded and the process is far less uncomfortable than one imagines.
Here in Australia (ie “Orstraya”) there are usually 3 staff in attendance including a Doc. I think the most important thing is for you to be in control, and to speak up at the slightest hint that you don’t want to go further.
They certainly won’t subject you to any incline or speed that troubles you in the least ….. but YOU have to tell them.
My 78 year old bro had one last week. He said it was a breeze cos as directed, he told them to stop when it got hard. His results were fine, for his age.
All the best.
They will be with you monitoring you all the time. I was given a stress echo when I was about 74, even though I have LBBB. All went well and I was taken off the treadmill after a couple of minutes. Have had a myocardial perfusion test (stress) years later with no problems. Don't worry. 💖
thank you all for taking the time to write. Very reassuring
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