Hi all, it was noticed by myself and our fit to breath physio that my heart rate seemed unusually slow when exercising even though my oxygen sats were as low as the high 60s to low 70s and I was blowing hard so I mentioned this to my lung consultant. He arranged an echocardiogram and a cardiopulmonary exercise test, I had the echo a while back but this afternoon I have the exercise test. Never had this one before but it sounds as though I'm to be wired up to a few machines and put on an exercise bike.
I'm kind of looking forward to it but I know they will push me pretty hard. There's a technician called Rob who has done many full spirometry tests on me who has always wanted to get me on a treadmill or exercise bike so today he'll be rubbing his hands as he gets his tortuous wish.
I know he'll squeeze every last breath out of me while he smiles and I'll suffer badly but smile right back at him just before I pass out. Oh' the fun were going to have.
Hopefully with these test result they'll be able fix me with a magic pill, well there's no harm in being an optimist is there, more likely they'll want to put me down.
Has anyone out there had a cardiopulmonary test done? and if so how was it?
Tony
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Sounds like the cardiac 'stress test' which is usually carried out on a treadmill and the speed aand resistance are upped to the point where you give up or they call a halt. I suspect that being on a bike might be a little less stressful then the treadmill but on the other hand if they turn the bike to maximum resistance, that could be tough too. As you are pretty fit you should do okay and hopefully it will throw some light on the low heartbeat. Good Luck Tony ! Let us know how it goes.
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Oh, I forgot to mention that I had a cardiac/pulmonary stress test in 2012. They stopped the treadmill after about two minutes because I was so sob. I'm sure this won't happen to you.
same happened to me so they had me back wired me up and gave me injection to make heart work as if I was running a mile never felt any distress at all the doc was very good and had sense of humour every thing turned out ok
Thanks for your reply Argana, I have seen a treadmill in the clinical investigations but the consultant said bike so we'll have to wait and see what choice of torture they want to use on me.
Do they do a kind of ECG on your heart and a breathing test at the same time as you are exercising?
Your heart rate is monitored throughout and they will probably discuss the result with you at the end. Pulmonary I'm not sure. Maybe an ongoing oxygen level monitor. My experience was that I all but collapsed after about two minutes, so they abandoned the test. Afterwards they did an Echo and a 'bubble' test. The bubble test is to see if you have a hole in your heart, and it's an injection.
It sounds as though they gave you a hard time there Argana as I'm sure Rob will do on me later today. Its gonna hurt for sure but then as they love to say 'No Pain No Gain'.
Well here's hoping for some gain, Tony x
Thanks again and I'll post later to tell you how it went.
I can't stand up so their torture machines are out but it doesn't stop them. They leave me in my wheelchair and put the ECG on me and then instead of me on a bike they put a cannula in my arm. Then they take their rest readings, inject so junk to make your system feel like your heart is going like the clappers, then inject some more stuff to calm you down again.
So believe me pedalling the bike or staggering on the treadmill is a far better way to get measured.
They take good care while you are getting tested. I don't think they took my oxygen off during the test. It was a few years ago.
Thanks for that rib, it does sound as though the bike or treadmill is an easier option than the wheelchair method, at least you have a little control on how far you push yourself.
I thought that I'd tried every machine in the hospital but this one is new so thanks for your insight.
" Hello Tony. i am not sure what i am going to say will be of any help to you.But a friend of mine had what seems a similar test done. he had to sit on a bike peddle as if his life depended on it. whilst wearing a breathing thingy over his mouth and had a few wires wired to his chest not sure if thats been of any help Tony..Oh one thing he did say it wasn't as bad as he was anticipating. so lets hope the same applies to you.But one thing i am certain of Tony. and that is, i will be thinking of you..good luck my friend..Megan"
Hi Megan, Thanks for your reply, your description of your friends test sounds as I imagined my test is going to be but we'll have to wait and see. Whatever they do to me, I don't think I will need any extra exercise today.
Lol....go for it Tony. My hubby used to do the treadmill...but the rheumatoid was so bad in his knee they had to stop. Give Rob something to rub his hands about and let us know how you get on x
Hi tony, just checking in on u as I didn't get to wish u luck b4 u went, not that your an after thought but hey better late than never, hope it went ok..... Let us know !!! Take care x Sonia xx
Hi Tony hope you managed the test ok this afternoon? The last time I did it my heart went like the clappers aswell as my lungs so it was stopped my heart was throwing up changes of some description,the cons couldnt believe the speed it went,I think a little fear was involved too as the test has always been a no go after the shortest while.Im trying to build fitness level up hoping that it will make a difference to me ole ticker,it has to help for sure. Janexx
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