Had echo stress test, but worse this time...

[Dodi]

Hi I am a female,28, with prior cardiac history. I have complex arrhythmias, my main problem being an atrial tachycardia problem resisting drug treatment. I have a pacemaker for complete heart block from ablation of a pathway used with my SVT.
I recently had an echo stress test because I have been experiencing crushing chest discomfort, nausea and faintness.
In comparison to a prior (regular) stress test I had 1 1/2 years ago, this one was much worse. My legs cramped, turned to jello. I became extremely short of breath and dizzy.
Not even 30 seconds into exercise my heartrate was up to 120. I then exceeded my pacermaker's upper limit of 170. My blood pressure rose with my diastolic reaching 98. (My blood pressure generally swings low so this is highly unusual for me, esp during an exercise test). My diastolic had never done this before. During recovery my heartrate persisted around 120 and would not come down the whole time (10-15 minutes).
The best part of all this is not only have I been on atenolol, but at the time of the stress test, it had been doubled.
These findings are much worse than my prior stress test. My pacer has been through many adjustments already, but the pain, pressure, etc persist with exertion and sometimes can be rather severe.
I have withheld seeking urgent medical treatment for my chest problems because nobody seems to know what to do with me (my local hospitals especially don't have the resources to help someone with complicated heart rhythms). So what does a person do?

I am concerned about the diastolic pressure with exercise and I want to ask--does a doc get concerned when a person who's stress test has obviously worsened now demonstrates a high diastolic with a doubled beta-blocker?
I am also still getting the occasional pain/discomfort I described..do you think it's worthwhile for me to pursue it in light of my current situation?

Thanks for your help!

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Dodi,

I would have to look at all the results of the stress test to tell you if this was a normal test or not but from the information you have given me these could be normal findings.  In a young person the heart rate can go up to around 200 and the blood pressure up to 200/100 during exercise.  Usually a beta-blocker blunts this somewhat but there could be many reasons why it did not in your case.

I'm not sure why the stress test was being done so depending on what your doctors were looking for would depend if anything else needs to be done.  We routinely see complex rhythm disturbances here and if you would like to be seen in our pacemaker clinic you can make an appointment by calling the number below.

[yvonne]

I have a question about heart palpitations.  Why would a doctor prescribe Bisoprolol Fumarate?  I do not have high blood pressure.  I do experience dizziness with the palpitations.  I am concerned about taking this medication because the doctor informed me that there were really no side effects.  He wants me to return in a week and see what I think about the medication.  This medication was given in a "sample" pack.  What do you think?

[Madeline J]

I have been having swollen ankles for awhile. Not really a problem until the last week. Now my feet are both swelling as well as my ankles and as the day progresses my legs are sweeling up to my knees. Also have been having shortness of breath. Trouble sleeping at night as I sleep mostly on my left side and I hear what sounds like odd sounds coming from my chest' almost like a garbled moan.  After a while I begin to cough and my breathing gets even more labored. Due to ins. changes I had to get a new Dr. and am unable to see him till next week.

[Madeline J]

I have been having swollen ankles for awhile. Not really a problem until the last week. Now my feet are both swelling as well as my ankles and as the day progresses my legs are sweeling up to my knees. Also have been having shortness of breath. Trouble sleeping at night as I sleep mostly on my left side and I hear what sounds like odd sounds coming from my chest' almost like a garbled moan.  After a while I begin to cough and my breathing gets even more labored. Due to ins. changes I had to get a new Dr. and am unable to see him till next week.

[Deb Argenbright]

Had a myoview stress test today, both lower legs started to pain me , became short of breath, no EKG changes ,right leg with more pain than left. What does the shortness of breath indicate?

[Brenda Burgett]

could you please tell me if it is normal to have bad chest pains whil having  a stress test?

[AJ Jain]

I have asked about the sensivity of Stress Echo vs. Thallium Stress tests.  Please describe which is performed earlier in diagnosis and pros and cons.  Thanks.

[lkn@home]

I'm having my first echo test & my Dr. said there would be no treadmill, here I read there is. Is a treadmill involved?

[Lynn]

I'm having my first echo test & my Dr. said there would be no treadmill, here I read there is. Is a treadmill involved?