STRESS TEST ?

[Jacqbult 112]

Did all you guys have to have a stress test??

My Dr. just said that they want one before surgery...

[What have I done 1]

I did not have a stress test. I was told I didn't need one as I have never had heart issues & the EKG he did order looked perfect. Sorry that probably doesn't make you feel any better. But I will tell now that I am 1 day shy of my 2 months Post surgery. Do all the test they ask you to do. Good luck. When is your surgery?

[#9grammy 274]

I had a stress test, one of the things medicare wants done on their list of many. Wasn't bad, I had the chemical one where they give you stuff through an IV. Had an echo also same day, all turned out well.

[Eclectick 129]

The anesthesiologist requires blood test and a EKG within 30 days of surgery...not required by insurance though. Just another way of getting money out of me.. I am sure they need it to keep me safe I suppose

[crystalsleeve 36]

I did have a stress test and it was no big deal. They have you do some specific breathing exercises to test your lung function and an EKG to test your heart function. They test you at rest and at stress. The stress can be produced chemically or physically on a treadmill or a bike. The idea is to see how well your lungs carry oxygen and clear co2 and if you have and blockage throughout your heart vessels. Is very important for those who are obese and have other medical issues like hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes. I was very glad to have mine done. I have had this fear for some time that I would have a heart attack early in life. Seeing it in paper that my heart is functioning well is a relief. I know I haven't exercised it enough in life to make it a strong muscle.

[DeanieG 49]

My stress test was horrible--it could be because I'm almost 68 and NEVER exercise though! I had to do the one on the treadmill and I have really short fat legs and haven't run anywhere in years. By the time I got to the fast part, my arms weren't long enough for me to be able to hold on to the rail and I don't have good balance so it was scary! Now that I look back on it, it was funny but at the time I thought I was going to become one of those YouTube people that everyone laughs at! My doctor said that I had to reach 85% on some scale that she was looking at for it to be a valid test and when she finally stopped the treadmill (after I begged in my best whiney voice), I had reached 86%. I just barely avoided having to go to a cardiologist for the chemical test.

I don't have any heart issues--never have, but my PCP wanted to be sure before she gave me clearance to have the surgery. If I had it to do again, I would definitely start walking immediately so that I could keep up with the treadmill for a longer period of time. If you walk much in your regular life, you won't have any problems--I've just been a couch potato for years. That's about to change though--I see walking and exercise in my future!