anyone had a treadmill exercise test

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I'm putting this on this board as opposed to the health board as it involves someone over 50.What I need to ask is if anyone has had a treadmill exercise test and what is involved.I ask, as my sister has been asked to have one by the hospital after having chest pains.The thing is when she received her appointment it states that any chronic or acute problems may make the test unable to be carried out.She has a spinal problem which causes her a lot of pain(vertebrae collapsing in her lower back and nerve damage due to pressure over the years) and although she walks, it is with a lot of discomfort.If running is involved she just would'nt be able to do this.She did'nt mention this problem when she had her ECG as she does'nt like anyone to know.Silly I know but she is rather vain and does'nt want people to think she's getting old.She's 55 by the way.Thanks.

purps

hi my mum has just been diagnosed with angina by having a treadmill test, she also suffers from osteo arthritus in her knees, she said she had to run for 6 minutes so they could get the reading they needed, but i dont think it was a fast run, they told her to stop at any time if she felt that she couldnt do it but she managed it. i can ask her more details if needed.

Kasha

I am over 50 (just!) and I have had one of these test. I have arthritus in my knee's. The test involves walking on a treadmill that gradually gets faster. I did get to quite a fast walk but didn't have to run. Having said that I was very uncomfortable by the end, and I think your sister will find it painfull. I was told if I couldn't manage the treadmill I could go on a bike, maybe that would be a better option? I would just give the hospital a call and explain the situation I'm sure they must have options for patients that cannot do the treadmill and I would imagine each hospital is different.

Good luck
Kasha

Mojisola

If your sister is not fit enough/in too much pain to stress the heart enough, the test is useless. Contact the hospital and tell them that she is not physically up to it and they will offer her the alternative which Margaret described. It's very weird, lying on a bed and feeling your heart starting to pound as if you were running fast! But they get the same information from the chemical stress test as the treadmill one and that's the important thing.

chuckles1066

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, the heart rate has to be pushed up to approx 140 and the reading taken from there.

DH described it as 'a very strange sensation - a bit like s*x without the action!!'

Margaret

S*x at a heart rate of 140?

He's been selling you short, girl

Sola

margaretclare wrote: »

What this involved was an injection which had the same effect - increased the heart rate - and he didn't have to move at all, was connected to a heart monitor but no stress on his knees.

I had this done a few years ago as my back wouldn't let me do the treadmill test. It was terrifying in all honesty - I'd've been better off with the treadmill. I felt completely out of control of my body and seriously wondered if my heart was ever going to go back to normal.

chuckles1066

Sola wrote: »

I felt completely out of control of my body and seriously wondered if my heart was ever going to go back to normal.

I feel like that every Saturday night after a few vodkas?

LittleVoice

With a treadmill, you can stop at any time and won't have to go beyond your limit. With an injection, it has happened and that's that.