Stress Echocardiograms

Posted By Kristine on September 08, 1998 at 08:08:44:







Hello. Yesterday I had a stress echo and my doctor said my ekg looked fine with the exception of 3 PAC's. She said my echo images before and after excercise were also normal and my heart muscle is as strong as it can get. I was very pleased, but concerned about only one thing.  During the stress part of the test she took my blood pressure several times and while my systolic pressure rose very well, my dialstolic pressure never fell.  I thought your diastolic pressure was supposed to fall.  It remained around 80 even when I advanced to the more difficult stages of the treadmill (stages 3 and 4).  I asked her about this (about whether this could indicate a coronary blockage)  She said you don't judge the test from just that and everything else looked good.  Is this true???  If you have good clean arteries, isn't your diastolic pressure supposed to fall upon vigorous exertion? (meaning your arteries are opening up) I just want your opinion because I'd like to put this worry to rest and gon on with my life.  Also, are the 3 PAC's I had of any significance? She said they weren't. I have them everyday even when not exercising. Thank you.