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Ever have a persantine stress test?

Posted by Sleepy Time Time on June 01, 2004 at 16:46:33:

hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has ever had, or is familiar with, a "Persatine" stress test. At this test, they inject me with some chemical that increases my heart rate -- which I dont like the sound of.

I had a regular stress test in December, at a cardiologist's, and he said it looked good, and that my heart was fine, and got "stronger with exercise"

I had some shortness of breath Thurs. and since I am 40 lbs overweight and have sleep apnea (treatment has thus far been unsuccessful), I went into the ER. they said my chest x ray and cardiac blood work and EKG were all fine, and suggesated I get another stress test.

So today I went back to the cardiologist and he said instead of a regular stress test on the treadmill, he wants me to have this Persantine test, tomorrow morning, because, he now says that, in my December treadmill test, my heart did not attain the maximum output, that it only got to 77 percent of output before I had to stop.

At the time, at that December test, I had not exercised in three months. I told him that today, and also told him that I have now been walking vigrously every night for about two months. But he still said he wants to do this Persantine test, where they inject a chemical into your system that increases the heart rate. I am really uncomfortable with that idea, and would rather just elevate my heart rate the old-fashioned way, through walking on a treadmill!

Should I be concerned about them injhecting something into me that increases my heart rate? Howe can that be safer than just letting me walk on a treadmill?

does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is there anything I should be concerned about? I am thinking of just not going, and changing doctors -- he doesnt seem to "hear" what I am saying


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