Cardiolite Stress Test

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isitwinteryet

New member
Thought I'd throw this out to all and see if anyone has ever had one of these test's done. What kind of symptoms were you having that made you see your Dr.? How did you feel after the test was done? any side affects? what kind of results or problems did they find? Getting this done early next week and I'm a little nervous about it. Thanks for any input.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
I had one done a few years back (before the heart surgeries). I actually do not remember exactly when, just know it was before the first open heart surgery and after my stent.

I don't even remember the exact symptoms, but I believe it was ordered up as part of things to look at because of a flash pulmonary edema I had.

Anyway, the test is harmless, but they work you pretty hard to stress your heart. I was on a treadmill, they started slow and with no incline to warm you up and then increase both the speed and incline and by the end of the workout phase, you are really huffing and puffing. You are all hooked up to things that monitor your heart rate and BP and there are several nurses and a Dr in the room to make sure you are not pushed too far, but they really do want you to be working hard. The harder you are working, the more your heart is stressed and the better test results you will get. You are only at the really stressful part for about a minute or so.

The rest of the test is a cake walk. You just lay there while the CT scan does it's thing.

The radioactive dye will make you glow for a few hours after the test, but it makes for good conversation.

Just kidding. No glow.

Good luck!

-John
 
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Obriengotwake

New member
I am an exercise physiologist who used to administer these test. No side effects to the cardiolite. The hardest parts will be walking on the treadmill and laying still under the camera for 15 mins with your arm above your head. If your not using a treadmill I can let you know what you might feel from a medicated stress test.
A side note don't travel to Canada that day you will set off the radiation detectors on your way back into the States (I know from my own experience). If you don't mind me asking where are you having the test done at?

Good luck to you. You should have no concerns about the test straight forward and minimal side effects even with a medicated stress test.

Greg
 
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GTL

Member
Ditto to what John said. Most importantly, if they are giving you one, you probably already know the signs that sent you in there. I just had mine a week ago and Tues. morning is my by-pass surgery.. (triple, maybe quad) Get in and have it done. The little run on the tread mill will give you a better appreciation for those heavies on "Biggest Losers" for sure!!!! I DID think I was in good shape 'til then.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Best wishes for a perfect recovery GTL and if I can offer up some unsolicited advice... If your Dr asks you if you want to partake in cardiac rehab after the surgery, do it. If he doesn't, ask if he can give you a referral. You can recover on your own, but going to rehab will speed up the process and also give you peace of mind that you are doing things right. Oh... and what ever you do, DON'T SNEEZE for 2-3 weeks after the new zipper is installed on your chest! You want to talk about pain...Sheesh!

-John
 
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isitwinteryet

New member
Thanks for the replies and I will be at Henry Ford Hospital in Clinton Twp, Mi. on Friday morning for the test. Good luck to you GTL and a very speedy recovery.
 
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rocketman356

New member
Have had the test twice as part of a full executive pyhsical at Mayo when I turned 50 and this past August when I turned 55.I agree with everything JD states.They do push you to your limit or in my case blood pessure went to 265 and they shut it done.I highly recommend this pyhsical for us guys that don't see a doctor on regular basis.As my test lasted four days and I must of had over twenty appointments in those four days.There is no way I would schedule all those tests at home and it would take months even if I did. Good luck and hope yaa heal quick.
 
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GTL

Member
Thanks guys, it was because I listened to the "Queen" that I went in, and I will certainly listen to the Dr. The saddest part is missing the better part of the sleddin' season. So many rides are now "on hold". Dr. is a sledder and says if I listen I MAY get to ride in March/April. Oh well, this may put off buying new next year and ridin the ole 4-stroke again.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
GTL.

First, kiss the Queen, she might have saved your life! Secondly, I'll say all situations are different and I am by no means trying to overrule your Dr. but I had my first open heart Oct 2d and was riding a sled in mid-December. So a little over 2 months and I was good to go. Both the Mayo and Cleveland Clinic have information on recovering from the surgery and what you can do and can't do. But I guess the bottom line is to do what the cardiologist or primary care Dr advises- just don't be afraid to step up and ask if you can do things. There are the general guidelines and then there is real life, the two don't always match up perfectly.

Again, best wishes and best wishes to good results for you isitwinteryet.

-John
 
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GTL

Member
So here are my results:::D ! Quad (soory I forget) Tues. (29th) Back into this world (somewhat) Wed. sitting on the side of the bed. Thurs. down to cardi rehab for a walk. Fri. rehab and walk (it's good to be up) Sat. (after a terrrible night) my first shower (OMG :) and process me out of this place. The Queen can provide much better "care" at home. Is it called care because they do? Some nurses (or wannabes) should have to stay under their own care sometime before providing "care" for others. I'm home and walking on my own pain meds at a minimum but keeping my "heart pillow" close by. isitwinteryet----------------------give us an updat on your procedure, hopefully al went well.
 
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Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Congrats GTL!

The next few weeks are not too fun, but things get dramatically better after that. It's a longer road than most surgeries to recover from, but the prize at the end is worth it!

Glad all went well.

-John
 
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