<p>My PCP is requiring a stress test before she will approve me for surgery. She is not anticipating that I would have a problem since my EKG's and Echocardiograms have been normal. She said my lack of mobility has not challenged my heart so she doesn't know how it will perform so she sent me to the cardiologist for a stress test. I will be having a chemical stress test on Friday and I am a bit concerned about the test and what it might uncover. I know that if it does uncover anything, it will be a blessing is disguise as I might not have found out about it otherwise. It is my last hurdle in getting approved for surgery.</p> <p> </p> <p>My question is this - what does the test involve and why does it take 3-4 hours? Also, how concerned should I be about the test in general?</p> <p> </p> <p>I would appreciate any and all answers.</p>

Hello and welcome!

I'm sure plenty of us have had to have either a chemical or a treadmill stress test prior to approval. Noting that your age is 65, it is not at all unreasonable to want to see what a stress test will show. Since you are 65, and overweight, and not knowing your other medical history, I can only guess that your doc chose to do a chemical stress test versus a treadmill stress test for good reasons.

Here's a link to a site that explains all about chemical stress tests:

http://www.heartsite.com/html/chemical_stress.html

The reason it takes several hours is for the dye they inject to make it through your body to where they want it to be. The reason for not eating prior to the test is that sometimes the medications they use can make folks nauseated and they don't want you uncomfortable or to throw up. Once the meds are in, and while you are waiting to go back and have the second part of the scan (the reason why it takes several hours), usually most labs allow you to go get a light snack.

Good luck!

I forgot to mention my health history in asking my question. Yes, I am overweight, my current BMI is 58 but I started at 63 and have been on a liquid 800 calaorie a day diet for 13 weeks. I have hypothroidism and some hypertension. Other than arthritis in the knees, which is why I am having the chemical versus the treatmill, I am fairly healthy - normal blood sugars and cholesterol my entire life.

My surgeon needed clearances for pulmonary including a sleep apnea study, cardiac which included a 2 part chemical stress test, ekg, echo, etc. In addition 14 vials of blood for what seemed every test known to man, urine, chest x-rays, etc. I didn't have a regular PCP at the time so I had to get one just so she could give me overall clearance. She ordered no tests and just reviewed the reports of all the specialists. OH and got paid a tidy sum for the 3 office visits she made me have before finally giving clearance.

Jobstud - why a 2 part stress test? All done at the same time?

I already got pulmonary clearance and am waiting word from psychiatrist on whether I got approval from him - don't expect not to though, visit with him went well.

Sghatl,

They had me do a stress test also. I had no heart history, but I felt better after they told me all is good, so I guess it was worth the money. I had not met my deductible yet.

At least my insurance is paying for the test.

duplicate post

I had a chemical stress test and I was in and out in like an hour from the Cardiologists office. They give you the radiochemical, then wait a couple minutes, then give you the chemical stress inducing thing whatever that is and when they are done with their scans, they give you an antedote to reverse the effects that chemical put in you.

They gave me some apple juice when I was done, asked me if I felt ok and off I went.

I forgot to mention my health history in asking my question. Yes, I am overweight, my current BMI is 58 but I started at 63 and have been on a liquid 800 calaorie a day diet for 13 weeks. I have hypothroidism and some hypertension. Other than arthritis in the knees, which is why I am having the chemical versus the treatmill, I am fairly healthy - normal blood sugars and cholesterol my entire life.

OH MY! 13 weeks of liquid. I bow before you that is amazing I am stresses about a 4 week liquid. Wow. I guess I just have to keep telling myself it could be worse

Thats pretty normal or so I thought. I know I will probably have to have one just for them to check on me and what not. I'm 18 and no problems in that area, however just to be careful, I'm sure they will do it.

Well, I had the stress test yesterday and the worst part of it was being at the cardiologist's for 4 hours. The actual test was pretty anticlimatic. I hope the results are too. No pain, no problems at all.

Hopefully, I am finished with all of my pre-op testing now and will be approved. I see the surgeon again next Tuesday, Sept. 5.