Hypertension, angina

Posted By Colin on May 26, 1999 at 09:49:34
I am a white male 6'1", 280, 46 years old.  My heart rate at rest for the past few years has been 70 - 75.  My BP has ranged from 140/95 to 160/95.
About 8 mos. ago, out of the blue, my heart rate soared to about 125 at rest for about 5 minutes.  I had been experiencing some difficulty breathing and tightness in my chest after climbing stairs or a 40 - 50 minute walk. I went to my GP and my BP was 180/110.  He  put me on 50 mg Atenolol.  I experienced heavy fatigue/exhaustion. He reduced the prescription to 25 mg.  after 3 mos. my bp was 160/100.  I had a subsequent experience of heart racing to about 125 at rest which  lasted about 3 hrs., with extreme anxiety/perspiration. Two weeks ago I went back to my GP for a checkup.  My bp was 180/100.  We discussed my contining chest tightness after walking or stair climbing.  He sent me to a cardiologist.
Yesterday I went for my visit.  He took my vitals (180/100)ran an EKG, discussed family history and my history.  He concluded that I have "some" coronary heart disease and probable angina.  We scheduled a Thalium stress test for next week and a chloresterol screening so that he could determine the extensiveness of the problem and put me on a program for improvement.
Now my questions: What is the difference between a treadmill test and a thalium treadmill stress test?  What does "some" coronary heart disease mean?  What questions do I need to be asking?












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