1. < Heart & Blood Health

Nuclear Stress Test-Terrified

Posted by myg68 @myg68, 6 days ago

Hi
I am scheduled for a nuclear stress test next month after finding out I have a high CAC Score.
Has anyone had a nuclear stress test? If so, please explain the process.
I’m mostly freaked out about the medicine that is injected to stress your heart.
I seriously do not want to do this test, but I know I need to, to find out if I have any blockage(s).
Please share…
Thank you

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gloaming | @gloaming | 5 days ago
In reply to @myg68 "Here’s the bottom line. My dad died after having his second heart attack at age 38...." + (show)
@myg68

Here’s the bottom line. My dad died after having his second heart attack at age 38. I’ve had issues ever since then. After having my second child at 25, I started having palpitations. I didn’t know what palpitations were at that time. I thought for sure I was going to die. I got to the point where I was able to live my life, but I was always too in tune with my heart. In 2005, I have an angiogram done, not because I needed too, but my doctor then thought it would be a good idea to put my mind at ease. And it did. I had no blockages at all.
Fast forward to 2017, after getting a CT Scan with contrast, I got a blood clot in my left arm. In 2018, after getting a CT Scan with contrast again, I got a blood clot in my right arm. All of my blood work came back normal for any blood clotting issues.
I seen a hematologist, and he figures the blood clots happened because of the contrast.
So, in 2020, my OCD Health Anxiety took over, mainly because of Covid existing, and being so scared of getting Covid. It’s been tough ever since.
I still have palpitations, and I seen a cardiologist about them, and he said they were normal.
This is turning out to be too long. Haha!
The main thing I am scared about is the medicine that they’ll inject to stress my heart. My cardiologist said I will probably feel some pressure in my chest, maybe shortness of breath, and I can’t remember what else he told me. I probably tuned out by then.
After getting the CAC Score back and it is quite high, I have felt a bit afraid of the
what ifs. But again, this is my life story. I’m really trying to stay positive about my experience and hopeful that all is well with my heart.
But, I forgot to mention that I am also worried about getting a blood clot again through this procedure.
So, that’s it.

Jump to this post

There are two chemicals that I know of that are routinely used to stress the heart: isoproterenol and adenosine. Isoproterenol is used to stress the heart during operations intended to correct arrhythmias. It is a 'provoking' or a 'challenging' chemical meant to make the heart work hard and reveal an underlying arrhythmia. Isoproterenol is used before an arrhythmia patient is taken back out of the cath lab after the electrophysiologist figures he/she has finished the job. Instead, they inject some isoproterenol and see what happens. If the heart lurches back into an arrythmia, he/she knows they didn't find all the foci or reentrant areas for the extra timing signals. Back to work while you're still out and in front of them. Makes sense, right?
Adenosine slows the heart. I have had it injected once. The nurses were careful to prepare me for the sensation. It's awful....sorry....it's awful. If you are alert, and IF it is adenosine, the slowing puts you in a lot of stress in a weird way that makes you feel 'doom', a feeling of dread. It is thankfully fleeting, lasting about 10 seconds, and with the mental preparation you can just endure it knowing it will pass quickly...which is exactly what happened for me. But the chemical can reveal underlying cardiac function problems by making them slow down and show up on various monitors. It was how the attending internist saw that I was actually in flutter, and not in fibrillation. As I was feeling the heaviness and doom sensation, he pointed to the ECG display and said, 'See, it's flutter.'
This is the limit of my own experience and knowledge. You may have a different chemical at work, so this is just a fr'instance I'm offering. Also, I'm not a medical health worker of any kind and have no formal training in cardiology.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nuclear-stress-test/about/pac-20385231

REPLY
myg68 | @myg68 | 4 days ago

Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your experience. I appreciate it.

REPLY
esque | @esque | 4 days ago
In reply to @myg68 "Here’s the bottom line. My dad died after having his second heart attack at age 38...." + (show)
@myg68

Here’s the bottom line. My dad died after having his second heart attack at age 38. I’ve had issues ever since then. After having my second child at 25, I started having palpitations. I didn’t know what palpitations were at that time. I thought for sure I was going to die. I got to the point where I was able to live my life, but I was always too in tune with my heart. In 2005, I have an angiogram done, not because I needed too, but my doctor then thought it would be a good idea to put my mind at ease. And it did. I had no blockages at all.
Fast forward to 2017, after getting a CT Scan with contrast, I got a blood clot in my left arm. In 2018, after getting a CT Scan with contrast again, I got a blood clot in my right arm. All of my blood work came back normal for any blood clotting issues.
I seen a hematologist, and he figures the blood clots happened because of the contrast.
So, in 2020, my OCD Health Anxiety took over, mainly because of Covid existing, and being so scared of getting Covid. It’s been tough ever since.
I still have palpitations, and I seen a cardiologist about them, and he said they were normal.
This is turning out to be too long. Haha!
The main thing I am scared about is the medicine that they’ll inject to stress my heart. My cardiologist said I will probably feel some pressure in my chest, maybe shortness of breath, and I can’t remember what else he told me. I probably tuned out by then.
After getting the CAC Score back and it is quite high, I have felt a bit afraid of the
what ifs. But again, this is my life story. I’m really trying to stay positive about my experience and hopeful that all is well with my heart.
But, I forgot to mention that I am also worried about getting a blood clot again through this procedure.
So, that’s it.

Jump to this post

They do not use dye in the stress test. They use a nuclear substance. I did not feel it at all. I opted for the treadmill instead of the shot. You just walk kind of fast on it until they get your heart rate to the number they need…based on your age. There is a chart for that. They did two scans. They first with no stress. The second after the trad mill. Each scan takes less than about 10 minutes. You have to wait 30 to 40 minutes after the iv injections for the scans. I believe that much less radiation is now used. I had the scan just three weeks ago! Nothing to fear. You can choose the treadmill if you fear the medicine. I chose it because I also have awful issues with medicines and I knew that once I got off the treadmill I could catch my breath. And I do have clotting issues that are genetic!

REPLY
myg68 | @myg68 | 4 days ago

Thank you for the explanation. I appreciate it.

REPLY
saganjames | @saganjames | 4 days ago

I had a nuclear stress test about 10 years ago and it shot my heart rate up to 160. Never was on any heart meds, but they had to immediately give me a beta blocker to bring my heart rate down. People react differently to this test.
From the FDA:
Cases of myocardial infarction and death have occurred following the administration of Lexiscan (regadenoson) injection or Adenoscan (adenosine) infusion.
Both drugs present a risk to patients, especially to those with ongoing cardiac ischemia. Some cases of myocardial infarction and death have occurred in patients with pre-existing unstable angina or cardiovascular instability.
Screen all nuclear stress test candidates for their suitability to receive Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Avoid using these drugs in patients with symptoms or signs of acute myocardial ischemia such as unstable angina or cardiovascular instability; these patients may be at greater risk of serious cardiovascular reactions to Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Cardiac resuscitation equipment and trained staff should be readily available before administering Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Due to limitations in the currently available data, FDA is unable to discern a difference in risk for acute myocardial infarction or death between Lexiscan and Adenoscan.
Other cardiac nuclear stress test agents include:
intravenous dipyridamole (FDA-approved for use during cardiac stress test)
dobutamine (not FDA-approved for use during cardiac stress test)
Review the updated Lexiscan and Adenoscan labels for the latest recommendations.
Report adverse events involving Lexiscan or Adenoscan to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of this page.
Regards,
Sagan

REPLY
1 reply
myg68 | @myg68 | 4 days ago
In reply to @saganjames "I had a nuclear stress test about 10 years ago and it shot my heart rate..." + (show)
@saganjames

I had a nuclear stress test about 10 years ago and it shot my heart rate up to 160. Never was on any heart meds, but they had to immediately give me a beta blocker to bring my heart rate down. People react differently to this test.
From the FDA:
Cases of myocardial infarction and death have occurred following the administration of Lexiscan (regadenoson) injection or Adenoscan (adenosine) infusion.
Both drugs present a risk to patients, especially to those with ongoing cardiac ischemia. Some cases of myocardial infarction and death have occurred in patients with pre-existing unstable angina or cardiovascular instability.
Screen all nuclear stress test candidates for their suitability to receive Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Avoid using these drugs in patients with symptoms or signs of acute myocardial ischemia such as unstable angina or cardiovascular instability; these patients may be at greater risk of serious cardiovascular reactions to Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Cardiac resuscitation equipment and trained staff should be readily available before administering Lexiscan or Adenoscan.
Due to limitations in the currently available data, FDA is unable to discern a difference in risk for acute myocardial infarction or death between Lexiscan and Adenoscan.
Other cardiac nuclear stress test agents include:
intravenous dipyridamole (FDA-approved for use during cardiac stress test)
dobutamine (not FDA-approved for use during cardiac stress test)
Review the updated Lexiscan and Adenoscan labels for the latest recommendations.
Report adverse events involving Lexiscan or Adenoscan to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of this page.
Regards,
Sagan

Jump to this post

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

REPLY
kallettla | @kallettla | 2 days ago

I am allergic to many, many drugs and also get freaked out. My technician told me that NO ONE is allergic to it. I forget the reason. I didn’t have a reaction and everything went smoothly. My heart went pretty high, and I am still here!

REPLY
jc76 | @jc76 | 2 days ago
In reply to @myg68 "Thank you for your time and sharing your experience. I appreciate it." + (show)
@myg68

Thank you for your time and sharing your experience. I appreciate it.

Jump to this post

@myg68
When I read your post I thought and you have confirmed you are getting a stress test that is done stationary with medication that increases heart rate and a contrast to see it clearly. That is completely different test than a treadmill test.

I saw one poster gave you a treadmill stress test that is not what you are getting as you posted.

I had the test you mentioned way back in 2001. What it does is maker your heart beat faster and iwith the contrast injected they can see how you heart is functioning.

I have also had 3 pulmonary stress tests at Mayo Clinic where you wear a mask and electrical sensors. That test measures my bodies response to increasing exercise and from wearing the mask that can actually see how well you are providing oxygen to your body. It is quite hard on you but that is what it is designed to do stress you physically from exercise.

This stress test requires a treatmill or bike and slowly they raise the rate to bring your heart rate and breathing up to test how well your heart and cardiovascular system is working.

When I had the test you are having I sat is a big lounge chair and just like another poster posted if was over in a couple of minutes. Yes I could feel my heart pumping faster but it was just a weried feeling mentally not physically. It is a strange feeling to have your heart working when you are not exercising.

REPLY
1 reply
myg68 | @myg68 | 2 days ago
In reply to @jc76 "@myg68 When I read your post I thought and you have confirmed you are getting a..." + (show)
@jc76

@myg68
When I read your post I thought and you have confirmed you are getting a stress test that is done stationary with medication that increases heart rate and a contrast to see it clearly. That is completely different test than a treadmill test.

I saw one poster gave you a treadmill stress test that is not what you are getting as you posted.

I had the test you mentioned way back in 2001. What it does is maker your heart beat faster and iwith the contrast injected they can see how you heart is functioning.

I have also had 3 pulmonary stress tests at Mayo Clinic where you wear a mask and electrical sensors. That test measures my bodies response to increasing exercise and from wearing the mask that can actually see how well you are providing oxygen to your body. It is quite hard on you but that is what it is designed to do stress you physically from exercise.

This stress test requires a treatmill or bike and slowly they raise the rate to bring your heart rate and breathing up to test how well your heart and cardiovascular system is working.

When I had the test you are having I sat is a big lounge chair and just like another poster posted if was over in a couple of minutes. Yes I could feel my heart pumping faster but it was just a weried feeling mentally not physically. It is a strange feeling to have your heart working when you are not exercising.

Jump to this post

I’ll clarify all tests I’ve had.
I’ve had 3-4 regular stress tests on a treadmill.
I’ve had a nuclear stress test on a treadmill.
I’ve had an angiogram.
I’ve had Echocardiograms.
I just had a coronary artery calcium CT Scan.
And because my score was very high, my cardiologist wants me to have a nuclear stress test.
It’s called this because of the medicine they’ll inject to stress my heart (like what happens on a treadmill).
So if all looks good, I’m good for now.
If not, I’ll have an angiogram.
Thank you for the information.

REPLY
1 reply
jc76 | @jc76 | 2 days ago
In reply to @myg68 "I’ll clarify all tests I’ve had. I’ve had 3-4 regular stress tests on a treadmill. I’ve..." + (show)
@myg68

I’ll clarify all tests I’ve had.
I’ve had 3-4 regular stress tests on a treadmill.
I’ve had a nuclear stress test on a treadmill.
I’ve had an angiogram.
I’ve had Echocardiograms.
I just had a coronary artery calcium CT Scan.
And because my score was very high, my cardiologist wants me to have a nuclear stress test.
It’s called this because of the medicine they’ll inject to stress my heart (like what happens on a treadmill).
So if all looks good, I’m good for now.
If not, I’ll have an angiogram.
Thank you for the information.

Jump to this post

@myg68
Wow you are really getting tested!

I don't think you could do anymore tests you have had all types.

Did you ever have a Holter monitor test to see how your heart's electrical system is working? An ECG is usually only a minute or so and does not give a good history of what your heart electrical system is working just a real time at that moment.

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