The new nurse called me back for my stress test on Tuesday; I guess that we should call her nurse J since she's not really new, just new to me.
She took me into a room and relieved me of my shirt, in other words she had me take my shirt off. Then she shaved each spot where the electrodes were to connect.
I'm not sure how many electrodes she was going to connect but she had a whole box full, and I was gaining more and more bald spots by the minute, I could see that there would be no hairy electrodes involved here today. I asked her if she was going to use all of the electrodes in the box, and she just laughed and continued shaving random spots on me, one line left a stripe going from mid chest to my hip.
She shaved a spot on each wrist and then on the inside of my left leg below the knee. Then she started sticking electrodes onto my body and my limbs. Nurse J was adding a gel to each electrode before sticking it onto my chest, I said to her "Please tell me that gel is not superglue!" she just grinned and replied "We can't have them falling off now can we!"
She placed one on my right wrist actually covering the bloody spot where I was now bleeding from her rogue razor attack, which she replaced with a band-aid when the electrodes were removed. Cindy told her that cutting my wrist was the razors fault not hers, needless to say Cindy likes her, and I have to say that I do too.
After this we went into another room where I had an electrocardiogram aka EKG, and then an echocardiogram aka Echo.
And then the stress test began, my target heart rate was to be at least 139 beats per minute, my heart rate just stayed steady, after five minutes and speeding up the treadmill and raising the incline I was still below 90, we never hit that 139 BPM heart rate until about 10 minutes later and I was hanging onto the bar with all my might and my feet were moving faster than I knew they could move, I felt like the road runner cartoon, you know with feet moving so fast that they looked like a circular blur.
Seriously I was starting to stagger and stumble at this speed, running is not something that I can pull off very well. "How is the speed Jimmy? Is this too fast for you?" The technician had the nerve to ask. I would think that me sliding back to where I was barely holding onto the bar with my outstretched arms, and leaping step to step like a toddler being dragged down the sidewalk by his Momma who is holding a bag of groceries on one hip and dragging the kid behind with the other hand, rushing to get home before the ice cream melts. This sight should have answered that question. But I just had to breathlessly gasp, "Nope, I'm good!" At the same time Cindy shouts, "I think you should stop Jimmy!"
Thank God about that time I hit my target heart rate and everything was shut down. Suddenly I was back on the table for another Echo and another series of EKGs. To make a long story short, I did have symptoms of pressure in my ears and a pressure headache.
My Cardiologist doubled the dose of one of my heart medications, and gave me the required lecture on using nitroglycerin properly when symptoms arise. I have a follow-up appointment in a month to discuss the results of the medication changes and hopefully will have no more symptoms before then, and if my symptoms do get any more frequent or worsen, then it's off to the Cath lab for an Angioplasty...
Until then I'm not going to worry about it, because in my heart I know that I am in good hands.
She took me into a room and relieved me of my shirt, in other words she had me take my shirt off. Then she shaved each spot where the electrodes were to connect.
I'm not sure how many electrodes she was going to connect but she had a whole box full, and I was gaining more and more bald spots by the minute, I could see that there would be no hairy electrodes involved here today. I asked her if she was going to use all of the electrodes in the box, and she just laughed and continued shaving random spots on me, one line left a stripe going from mid chest to my hip.
She shaved a spot on each wrist and then on the inside of my left leg below the knee. Then she started sticking electrodes onto my body and my limbs. Nurse J was adding a gel to each electrode before sticking it onto my chest, I said to her "Please tell me that gel is not superglue!" she just grinned and replied "We can't have them falling off now can we!"
She placed one on my right wrist actually covering the bloody spot where I was now bleeding from her rogue razor attack, which she replaced with a band-aid when the electrodes were removed. Cindy told her that cutting my wrist was the razors fault not hers, needless to say Cindy likes her, and I have to say that I do too.
After this we went into another room where I had an electrocardiogram aka EKG, and then an echocardiogram aka Echo.
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| Not really me (Photo Source) |
Seriously I was starting to stagger and stumble at this speed, running is not something that I can pull off very well. "How is the speed Jimmy? Is this too fast for you?" The technician had the nerve to ask. I would think that me sliding back to where I was barely holding onto the bar with my outstretched arms, and leaping step to step like a toddler being dragged down the sidewalk by his Momma who is holding a bag of groceries on one hip and dragging the kid behind with the other hand, rushing to get home before the ice cream melts. This sight should have answered that question. But I just had to breathlessly gasp, "Nope, I'm good!" At the same time Cindy shouts, "I think you should stop Jimmy!"
Thank God about that time I hit my target heart rate and everything was shut down. Suddenly I was back on the table for another Echo and another series of EKGs. To make a long story short, I did have symptoms of pressure in my ears and a pressure headache.
My Cardiologist doubled the dose of one of my heart medications, and gave me the required lecture on using nitroglycerin properly when symptoms arise. I have a follow-up appointment in a month to discuss the results of the medication changes and hopefully will have no more symptoms before then, and if my symptoms do get any more frequent or worsen, then it's off to the Cath lab for an Angioplasty...
Until then I'm not going to worry about it, because in my heart I know that I am in good hands.
I wonder how many people have had a heart attack induced by the stress test. It sounds like something I want to avoid if possible.
ReplyDeleteDelores, I am sure this happens more times than we realize, if I am going to have another heart attack I'd rather it be right there in my cardiologists hands.
DeleteI saw a clip of house where he gets a patient to count his own BPM
ReplyDeletehe says "26"
and then House goes, "Either you suck at math, or you're going to die in 2 seconds"
That is funny Adam, if I count mine at 26 I'd want it to be a calculation problem for sure. Ha ha
DeleteMy Joe didn't do that, he rode a bike instead. That was bad enough... or so I thought. I think you're very brave, Jimmy, and I pray the results are good.
ReplyDeleteValerie I think that I would have done better on a bike, it would have been easier for sure...
DeleteI have had no more symptoms since the medication change so far, I am hoping that they were simply false signals from the damaged part of my heart because that area is extensive, my heart ejection number is still low but hovering around the same which is actually good for me.
Just take care of yourself dammit!
ReplyDeleteJoe, You don't know how much that statement from you means to me, Thank you Buddy...I really mean it.
DeleteIt's good to have your heart in good hands. Sounds like you do. Good for you. I remember that stress test though. I was feeling like you were near the end. Get me off this thing.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend, Jimmy and Cindy. ☺
Oh Lordy Sandee that was a lot more difficult than it used to be, I am really confident with my cardiologist, and also with Cindy's knowledge on how to keep me in line...
DeleteThank you and a great weekend to the both of you too.
I think you did great! But I got my Doctor's degree from a box of Cracker Jack. You are in good hands, and I'm glad you're trusting the doctor and his advice.
ReplyDeleteJean, I was happy with getting this one done, my cardiologist says that he learned a lot from the tests and thinks the medication change will work, and if it doesn't work, I am comfortable with him in the Cath lab, by the way some of the best advice comes from Cracker Jack box degrees.
DeleteYou have such a way with words - I could picture the running part perfectly . . . and Cindy "suggesting" you should stop . . . This doesn't sound like my idea of a fun appointment, but sometimes we have to take the tests in order to feel better and to actually do better. I'm glad you have a good relationship with your cardiologist. Trusting your doctor is huge. It makes everything else a bit easier. Take care of yourself! Hope the hair grows in fast!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny, I agree that having trust in your Doctor is huge and I definitely trust this one, he is a smart young man.
DeleteWow. Now they are even slashing your wrist for you! That alone would have raised my heart rate.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're okay, and that you didn't have any more hair ripped out.
Val, that gave a whole new outlook to the term getting blood work done, I was happy that it was just a flesh wound.
DeleteHaving a good doctor is half the ticket ... Glad you are over with the tests, for now. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI agree Sharon, half of the whole thing is having a good doctor that you believe in, now that this is said and done everything should be just fine.
DeleteI had to laugh at the visual in my head with your description: "like a toddler being dragged down the sidewalk by his Momma who is holding a bag of groceries on one hip and dragging the kid behind with the other hand, rushing to get home before the ice cream melts"
ReplyDeleteI am glad you're in good hands, and able to write about the experience with a sense of humor.
I am so happy that you enjoyed the description of the toddler being pulled along, we have all been in that position before haven't we ha ha.
DeleteThank you my friend, life is good...
This post suggests that stress tests are taken at every cardio visit and ECGs as well. I'm not sure I'll be able to cope. I've been walking every day, but not far and mostly on flat ground. The doctor at my first stress test had the treadmill raised to about 10 degrees, not much, but still uphill and I was really struggling to breathe at the two minute mark.
ReplyDeleteI'm really envious now of those people who can get on a treadmill at the gym and actually run for an hour.
I'm glad you got proper information about the nitro, that's really important to know. I hope you continue to be well.
River, ECGs and stress tests are not given at every Cardio visit, I apologize if I suggested this, I normally get an ECG at most twice a year and as long as no problems arise only yearly, the only reason that I got a stress test this time was because of minor symptoms that I have been going through.
DeleteMy Cardiologist shares his office with another and two PAs who see as many patients as do the Cardiologists, they have a lab set up on site to do stress tests, so between the 4 who are able to prescribe stress tests someone is getting a stress test every time that I visit but it's not always me. I hope this clears up any confusion I caused about cardio visits as most of them are simply getting your vitals checked and talking to the doctor like most other doctor visits, I just have extra equipment (the defibrillator) that is checked when I go.
The good thing about a treadmill stress test is that they want to get your heart rate up and they will push you a little to continue, but if you really need to stop all you have to do is tell them, it's not like you are trapped, and if you simply can't do it there are other non treadmill stress tests that are available.
Sorry to write a whole book but I felt that I needed to clear up some confusion I may have caused, if you ever have any questions please let me know. You will do fine if you ever have to visit a Cardiologist because they are great doctors.
Boyohboy, did you ever nail how it feels to take a treadmill stress test. I huffed and puffed like someone was sucking all of the oxygen out of the room. At least nobody had to shave me first... :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the new medication does the trick for you. Be well.
Susan, It's so far so good and it appears that the medication change is doing the trick. A lot of people lose their breath quickly on a treadmill like this, it is a common complaint during these stress tests for sure. Not having to be shaved is definitely a benefit for you, maybe I should pre shave before my next visit...
DeleteThe Question from "Only Slightly Confused" caused me to google an answer. This was what I found. "Stress tests pose little risk of serious harm. The chance of these tests causing a heart attack or death is about 1 in 5,000. ... Jitteriness or discomfort while getting medicine to make your heart work hard and beat fast (you may be given medicine if you can't exercise)."
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie, a 1 in 5,000 chance is really positive compared to how many stress tests that you have to actually take...
DeleteYes if you can't walk well enough to do a treadmill stress test there are other options. When I was having really bad mobility issues several years ago (crutches and a wheelchair) I was given a stress test where medication was injected into my veins that raised my heart rate extremely high, with a Cardiologist standing right there by the way. This was a really weird feeling but it works well for those who simply can't walk.
Thank you for answering some questions and bringing up some excellent points.
I remember doing a stress test like this. I kept telling them I power walk regularly so this is nothing. Then they turned up the switch and made a liar out of me while they all stood with devilish little grins on their faces. ALso, the man with the needle kept talking abou how he cheated on his medical exam. Haha. I made it through and tried real hard to play it off like it was easy peasy.
ReplyDeleteLisa, just the sound of that treadmill speeding up and increasing the incline is enough to raise your heart rate, yeah I wanted to play it off like it was easy too but I was slow getting off the table after that last echo...
DeleteTwo nurses took mine before gallbladder surgery ,it was first time for me so i asked what are they doing
ReplyDeletethey replied that heart checkup is must before any surgery .
i agree it is frightening and can make nervous enough to have heart attack
you PLEASE take great care Jimmy and thank God that you are in good hands
( dear cindy)
Yes Baili, It can be really scary especially when you are not sure why they are doing a stress test, I was blessed with the nurses that I had, they explained everything so well before and as they were doing it.
DeleteWith them checking your heart function before your gallbladder surgery was really beneficial for you to rule out any potential problems, I am sure it was really scary at the time.
Thank you Baili, I am in good hands here Cindy is a blessing to me.