Very interesting. Xposted to SCM for Dr. Chung to review
====================================================
(Bev) said:I had a Thallium Stress Test today (on the treadmill, not chemically induced).
My concern was that my BP would be so high that they would cancel the test.
They had refused to do the test for months because the doc said they could't
start the test with my BP as high as it had been. It had spiked a bit the
night before (178/93).After they got me hooked up to the EKG and took the first set of pictures, they
took my BP. 154/78........allright!!My doctor came in (pleasant surprise, didn't know he personally would be there)
and the test started. I started off doing fine, was just afraid that with all
the Lopressor, they woudln't be able to get my heart rate up enough. When they
went to the second level, all worries of that vanished. Still, I held my own.When we got to the third level, my legs wanted to go out from under me, and I
had a little difficulty breathing.......burning in my windpipe. No chest pain,
though. I told them I was wearing out quick.........but the doc said I was
doing great. The even commented on the fact that I walked like I had been
walking on a regular basis (I wish!).I finally started feeling a little faint.......next thing I know, the doc is
yelling "shoot her!" and I've got one tech standing behind me, pushing against
my back to support me, and doc grabbing my left arm, trying to help me make
that last 8 seconds. They had to cut it back down to 2nd level, but I did
manage to finish it.Now comes the weird part. They sat me down on the table, and I was sure I was
having a hypo. They handed me my test kit so that I could check to be sure,
while the tech went to grab some juice for me. I tested at 140......I had
intentionally run it high for the morning because last test I'd thought I had a
hypo (NOW I wonder about that!).When she got me hooked back up to the blood pressure cuff, my BP was 103/57,
then 94/54! I'm wondering what in the world happened!I had to go to the bathroom, regardless, so the tech walked me around the
corner, holding me up as I was sure I was going to black out. She left me at
the door, and when I came back out, she was gone. I made it back around the
corner, and had to sit in the waiting area at the end of the hall, I was so
dizzy. They went ahead and put me back on the table and took the rest of the
pics. When I finished, the tech walked me back to the larger waiting area, and
I told him I thought I needed to sit for a while.I thought that since it was 1pm, maybe eating would make me feel better, so I
made it down to the cafeteria and had lunch (small scoop dressing, roll of
turkey, and broccoli with some fruit chunks for dessert). I thought I might
need some carbs for energy at that point. I did feel marginally better after
that, and was able to get out to my car. I was fine after sitting there a few
more minutes, and drove home. Had to go to bed for the rest of the day, but
that was good for me 😉My question is.......is it common for blood pressure to drop like that during a
stress test? Really wonder if the last time wasn't a blood pressure drop
instead of a hypo, too. Anyone have some feedback on this?Bev
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