Frustrated over stress test

[jeannea]

So I'm doing my tests to get on the transplant list.  I went for my stress test.  They got me up on the treadmill and my heart rate wasn't all the way to the rate they needed but the treadmill had a steep incline and was going fast and I couldn't keep up.  I had to ask them to stop it.  They did get me the adenosine then and finished the test.  But I was so frustrated.  I used to be stronger than this.  I used to work out.  But then last year when my transplant failed I got so sick.  Now I'm on PD and weaker than I've been in years. It just makes me so sad.    Very frustrating.

[Sunny]

It's okay to feel frustrated about this.
I had the stress test last month and they didn't even bother to put me on the treadmill but went straight to the adenosine instead.
I was willing to try to run the treadmill but they said I shouldn't bother because they knew from experience someone with ESRD would have a difficult time.
(my kidney function is 14% so maybe that had something to do with it). At least you got through the test and that's good news.

[woodsman]

I just had one and made 9.1 minutes, one of the leads fell off my chest and got caught in my sneaker lace. the nurse tried to grab it and almost knocked me over!!. Nice!! I did get to 140 heartbeat and man i was whipped when i got off, (out of breath and legs tired) I am at 17% and not on dialysis yet. Passed the test with what they called a very prominent left ventricle. What does that mean??  anyways normal is 50% +/- and i scored at 61%. no blood flow issues but i am sadly out of shape. 

[Restorer]

The first letter I got from UCLA (for my missed evaluation appointment in May) only listed an adenosine stress test. I guess they skip right to that for ESRD patients. (Oddly, the letter I got for my evaluation appointment next week doesn't have a list of tests.)

Still, if they made me get on the treadmill, I might be able to do it. My hemoglobin's up past 13, and I used to bike to school with a hemoglobin of less than 8. Although the beta blockers I'm on now might make it harder...

[paris]

I feel the same way.  I use to do anything with no problem.  When I was first evaluated for a transplant, I could do the tread mill.  Then the next year, to stay current on the list, I tried the tread mill and couldn't get through it.  I felt like I failed and it was just more proof that my body was letting me down.  Now, each year I do the adenosine stress test.   Oh well, at least I am still on the list. 

[Sax-O-Trix]

I did the stress test at 18%, went 9 minutes, got the rate they wanted and felt fine.  I am now less than 15% and am not so sure I could do it again....  But the threat of a needle, especially an IV will be enough motivation to try the treadmill again if I have to   Keep your chin up, at least you were able to get on the treadmill to begin with!!!

[RightSide]

Passed the test with what they called a very prominent left ventricle. What does that mean??

The left ventricle is one of the four chambers of the heart.  When it's enlarged, that means that your heart has been working harder than normal.  That can be due to heavy exercise, high blood pressure, or other causes.

[Restorer]

I did the stress test at 18%, went 9 minutes, got the rate they wanted and felt fine.  I am now less than 15% and am not so sure I could do it again....  But the threat of a needle, especially an IV will be enough motivation to try the treadmill again if I have to   Keep your chin up, at least you were able to get on the treadmill to begin with!!!

I'd take an IV over running on a treadmill, as long as the person sticking me is somewhat competent. I have a very easy vein on my left arm.

How do they use adenosine to exercise your heart? I had an IV push of adenosine once to "reset" my heart when I was in supraventricular tachycardia, but that momentarily stopped my heart. Is it a smaller, more prolonged dose than that? I've searched the web, but all I can find is that "adenosine stimulates your heart as if you were exercising."

[jeannea]

I don't know much about how the adenosine actually works in your body.  When they injected me, I could almost immediately feel my heart racing.  The doctor watches the EKG while your heart races away. Then as soon as they stop the medicine you feel better.  As far as the person who mentioned beta blockers, they asked me not to take mine for 2 days before the test. They can interfere. And even if you do the treadmill, you get an IV because they give you thallium to make you radioactive for the xrays. It was definitely an odd test. But I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can't get through the treadmill.

[Sax-O-Trix]

I didn't have an IV for my echo stress test for the transplant evaluation.  The techs told me that they would try to do it w/o one.  Everytime I have an IV, it takes 6-8 bloody pokes.  When I was in college, I passed out cold on the floor helping serve cookies and juice at a Blood Drive because I was so upset just being in the room with all those needles, lol.   I pray everyday that I will get a transplant or can do PD so I don't have to deal with hemo needles...   

[MooseMom]

Shortly after I had my chemical stress test (because I couldn't get my heartrate up high enough on the treadmill), my husband showed me a story in the Chicago Tribune about this very subject.  I've tried posting the link, but it no longer exists, apparently, but essentially it said that according to a new study, "for women older that 35, the standard equation overestimates the risk of heart disease during a stress test...They concluded women should use a new gender-specific formula for maximum heart rate:  206 minus 88 percent of a person's age."

This equation was derived after following over five thousand women for over 16 years, and the study was authored by Martha Gulati, assistant professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Northwestern University.  It's been common knowledge for a long time that because many cardiovascular analyses focus on men, we don't know as much about heart issues in women.

Still, it is disheartening to see how much your body really suffers as a result of ESRD; you don't often realize it until some test is forced upon you.

When I had my test, I was told that the chemical doesn't so much stress your heart as it does dilate your blood vessels.  But I was so nervous that my heart was pounding away, so I don't know if what they said was really truue...

[Sax-O-Trix]

Go Martha Gulati at Northwestern University!!!! I did earned my Masters degree there some 20 years ago