I took a routine physical exam that included a stress test. Though EKG remained normal and I felt fine, at 13 minutes the tech said that she would stop the test because my BP was 258/78. Like an idiot, I said that my HR (158) had leveled off and perhaps I could finish the stage. 30 seconds later, BP was 271/76 (HR 159) and the test was halted. Luckily, I did not have a stroke.
Six weeks later, I took a stress echo, both as follow-up on my CAD and to check for a hypertensive response. At 16 minutes, my HR of 166 had not changed for 60 seconds, and the test was getting to be not fun, so I asked to stop. Surprisingly, maximum SBP was only 176 (no change in meds). EKG and echo were normal, and I felt no pain. I would greatly appreciate it if you could please answer a few questions: Should my exercise BP be investigated further? Had I run to the point of exhaustion, would the test have been more sensitive? Would there have been a significant risk? On a stress echo a year ago (a month after a stent was placed), max HR was 176. Should I be concerned that my max HR has apparently fallen 10 BPM in just one year?
Some background that may be relevant: I’m male, 62, 5’6”, 135 lb., strong family history of heart disease, never smoked, lifelong physically active, healthy diet. I have never had any heart disease symptoms, but a screening stress test in Jan. 2007 showed 3.7 mm ST depression. A coronary CT scan was also positive, so I underwent angiography. There was 90% blockage mid RCA; a stent was placed. Severe stenosis also found at several points in circumflex; to be managed medically. I’m taking daily: HCTZ 12.5 mg, lisinopril 10 mg, Zetia 10 mg, Lipitor 40 mg, aspirin 81 mg. With these meds, BP at rest is consistently normal, last test showed LDL-C 59, HDL-C 69, TG 60. Unmedicated (and with poor diet), my SBP was typically 130-140, cholesterol as high as 315.
Previously posted this (unanswered) in another forum by mistake, sorry.