Panic attacks and Treadmill Stress Test

[JohnDunn]

I am 55 years old.  I do cardio 4X a week for 60 minutes at a target HR of 140 [use chest HR monitor].  I do strength training 3X a week.  I participate in triatholons, road races, etc.  I have been this active for about 30 years.  My diet is heart healthy.

The issue is I suffer from panic attacks and have for over 25 years.  When I get my yearly physical I normally am fine.  The problem I had during my last physical last June is my Treadmill Stress Test.  The minute I got on the treadmill I had a panic attack.  I could feel my adrenaline surge and my HR jumped before I got on the treadmill.  I completed the test and told the Cardiologist of my apprehension/panic attack.  In my mind I "freaked out" before the test for some reason thinking I wouldn't do well.

The result according to the Cardiologist was, in his words the "classic" false/positive.  However if I get the same result this year, he wants to do further testing [Thallium, Stress Echo].

My question is can a panic attack cause a false/positive on a standard treadmill stress test?  If I have the same result again this year what further testing should I have done?

[prjose56]

Hi.  Sorry to jump in on your post, but it seems you both might be able to help me...I hope.  I recently went to my doctor to request an event monitor for the arrhythmias I've been experiencing.  He told me a better option would be to undergo a stress test.  This makes me really anxious because the trigger of my panic attacks is my heart rate.  It's been almost two years since the attacks and the arrhythmias have come on full blast and since then I've avoided any strenuous exercise that would cause my heart rate to go too high.  

I just wanted to know the details of the test.  Did you walk, or run?  How high did your heart rate reach before they told you to stop?  

My biggest fear is that I'll walk in there with my heart rate already over 100bpm and as soon as I start walking it'll go up to 120-130bpm and throw me into a panic which will shoot it up near 180bpm.  

Please help.  Thanks.

Jose

[JohnDunn]

Thanks for your comments.  Sounds like we have alot of the same "issues".  I failed to mention, I did have a false/positve a few years back and they did a stress echo.  Unfortunately doc didn't give me Xanax!  I passed that test with no problem.  I would be interested in how your experience is with the EBCT test.  Have hear good things about them.  At least with an EBCT test....panic attack or no panic attack, it shows the calcified plaque.  A panic attack can't mess that up......either you have the plaque or you don't.

All the best,

JohnDunn  

[Celeste07]

Hello John. Sorry to hear about your physical, I know how stressing it is to have panic attacks coupled with medical testing. I go into a fierce panic attack every single time.
I don't think you mention what the false/positive result was for?

I'm 43, have horrendous PVC's, and I've had panic attacks for 17 years now.
Several yrs. ago, I also had a false/positive for, if I remember right, exercise induced tachy. However, my cardio had me take a xanax and retake the stress test 30 minutes later after realizing I was in full blown panic mode. My second test came out beautifully. Every six months or so, I have an stress/echo and ekg, not just because of my arryhthmia, but more so, for my own peace of mind.
This year I'm also pushing for the Calcium EBT...being a panic attack "senior member" (believe me, I've earned a title), it will be one more thing to help keep me calmer during my next stress/echo....well, that's if it comes back ok. ;)

I think the important thing is that your following up yearly, remaining active and it doesn't appear that your doc was too concerned about the results at the time.
Had he been, surely he would have had you come back and repeat the test sooner. I think the gold standard in thorough testing for my Cardio is an ekg, stress/echo, and blood workup, followed with an MRI, and cath if a problem is found or suspected.

Here's wishing you "Good Fortune". Stay well.
Celeste