Special Stress-Test ?

[kristina]

Hello
The nephrologist has informed me, that in order to get ready for my transplant-preparations,
I need medical special check-ups to go through and especially a stress-test to make sure I "make it" through the transplant-operation...
Could anyone, who has already gone through this stress-test, please tell me what it consists of?
How long does a stress-test take and is it advisable to prepare myself with special exercises beforehand?
I do go for my daily walks, but I haven't done any special exercises yet... would it be a good idea to start with such exercises now?

Thanks from Kristina.

[MooseMom]

No need for special exercises.  No need to "prepare".

Did your doctors also want you to have an echocardiogram?  Stress tests and echocardiograms are usually done at the same time.

Do you take any beta-blockers for hypertension?  If so, they will want you to cease taking it 24 hours before the stress test.

Everyone who is trying to get onto the transplant list will require cardiac tests of some sort.  Usually, a stress test and an echo are the only things required, but depending upon the results, your team may want extra tests.  Kidney dysfunction puts a lot of stress on the heart; this is why tx teams put so much emphasis on cardiac health/tests. 

[willowtreewren]

Kristina,

If you go for walks, you are set. I have had a couple of stress tests. You start out walking on a treadmill and up the speed until you are getting winded. They monitor your heart during this test. Wear comfortable shoes!

 

Aleta

[SooMK]

I was also nervous about the stress test but it was easy. I was concerned because I can't do any inclines but I didn't have to. I was so proud of myself because they said I did "excellent" then they added "for your age". I agree you should be fine if you go for walks. Initially I spoke with a clueless coordinator who told me I'd have to have some kind of nuclear stress test. That didn't sound like much fun but she didn't know what she was talking about.

[kristina]

Thanks for your kind reply, MM. Fortunately I don’t take any beta-blockers
and the doctors have already mentioned an echocardiogram. I do hope,
that my end stage kidney failure has not put too much stress on my heart already.
Hello willowtreewren, thanks for your kind thoughts and the advise
to wear comfortable walking shoes on the day, I am sure that will assist me
and I shall continue with my daily walks...
Hello SooMK, thanks for sharing your experience and I am glad that you did well.
I am quite nervous about my stress-test, because I have been in end-stage-kidney-failure for so many years
and my fear is, that my ESRF pre-dialysis has gone on for so long that it could affect some my other organs in the process...
... I had to smile when you mentioned the nurses comment about a “nuclear stress test”
because that really sounds like something  “in the future, 200 years from now”...

Thanks again from Kristina.

[Jean]

Just in case Kristina, I had the nuclear stress test. More than anything, it is boring and takes up most of the day, so it's good to bring a book to fill in the time. You first have to sit on a chair and cannot move, but the chair does and it wobbles all over the place, back and forth. Then lunch, then you get an injection while you are lying down, and it raises your heart rate up and in just a few minutes it is all over. Just remember, well, this is in the states, that if you don't show up and you had an appointment, they will charge you$200.00 for the materials used.

[kristina]

Thank you, Jean.

I shall go to the stress-test with a few unsolved new cross-word-puzzles and an interesting book...

Thanks again from Kristina.