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Injection for Stress Test

I had a question I hope someone can answer.  My Dad is 83 years old.  He does take meds for his heart to thin his blood.  He was told about 5 years ago he had a small blockage in the back of the heart where it would be dangerous to get too.  They told him it wasn't bad and the meds will keep his blood thin and should help the blockage.
He finally went back to the doctor because of pain in his chest.  If he walks too fast or is stressed out he has to sit down to catch his breathe.  The doctor told him he needs to have a stress test done but my Dad said he couldn't do it.  He feels like he can't breathe walking from the back of the house to the front of the house.  The doctor proceeded to tell him not to worry he will use the injection method to do the stress test.  My question is: Is this safe?  To me it sounds like he will go into cardiac arrest and not be able to stop it whereas if he tried the stress test he could at least stop when he was feeling the pressure.
Thank you for any replies.  My Dad is waiting for the hospital to call to set up this appointment.
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Avatar universal
Thank you erijon, alleycat2 and ed34 for posting a reply.  I will tell my Dad what I have learned.  I feel for my own sanity I will also talk to the heart Dr. to make sure he or someone as reputable is in the room with my Dad when they do this test.
Thanks again for the information.  It helped tremendously.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
With blood pressure being constantly monitored, and ekg wired up and your Father being continually asked how he feels, it is quite safe. As already said, there will be cardiologists at shouting distance. When they have concerns about the patients health during the procedure they inject the drug more slowly, so there isn't a big impact. This also gives them much more control over the whole situation. I had one in feb this year and it was much gentler than my previous one in 2007. They injected the drug very quickly then and I remember suddenly gasping for air and going into panic mode. The recent stress test had a specialist continually asking me how I was feeling. At the end of the test, I just had to lay flat for about 20 minutes but the effects wore off very quickly, after about 3-5 minutes.
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475570 tn?1280941363
I have had this test many years ago and it was frightening and horriable. Ihad it again a month ago and it was no problem.  They have greatly improved the chemical they use now. The cardilogist is indeed present and the can stop instantly. I personally think stress tests are a waste of time. I put more faith in the test where they inject a necular item then put you in a clamshell and record your heart process.  
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159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
Keep in mind that these tests are conducted with a cardiologist either in the lab or in very close proximity. I have had this type of stress test and the injection causes and immediate increase in heart rate and can be stopped immediately. I'm sure given your father's condition the cardiologist will be very involved. If they see anything that looks out of normal ranges they will stop the test immediately and the effects of the drug can be stopped like turning off a light switch.

Hope this helps,

Jon
Helpful - 0
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