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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Stress test
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Stress test
by John Mc, Oct 21, 1999 12:00AM
I am 44 years old with a bad family history of heart disease and was diagnosed with heart disease 2 years ago.
During the first year I underwent 3 angioplasties in which 4 stents were installed. After the 3rd failure I underwent a double bypass using the mammary artery to correct the problem. During the period of angioplasty within a month or two of each procedure I Knew the problem was not corrected yet I could initially pass a stress test with no problem. The symptoms were typical heavy squeezing chest that came and went with the use of Nitro.
In Oct 98 my operation was done. Just 6 weeks prior to the operation I had symptoms but passed a stress test with no problem. After the operation everything seemed fine until 5 months later I was experiencing heavy squeezing chest with a heart rate of 110. I was put on Metoprolol twice a day which eliminated the problem. 3 months later same heavy squeezing but regular heart rate, they increased the dose to 3 times a day. Now 2 months later same thing again, yet I can excercise with no problem at all. I'm a non smoker, eat proper low fat diet, excersize regular and not overweight.
My questions are: Why initially does this not show up while doing a stress test and is this trend unusual with heart disease?
Thank you
John
During the first year I underwent 3 angioplasties in which 4 stents were installed. After the 3rd failure I underwent a double bypass using the mammary artery to correct the problem. During the period of angioplasty within a month or two of each procedure I Knew the problem was not corrected yet I could initially pass a stress test with no problem. The symptoms were typical heavy squeezing chest that came and went with the use of Nitro.
In Oct 98 my operation was done. Just 6 weeks prior to the operation I had symptoms but passed a stress test with no problem. After the operation everything seemed fine until 5 months later I was experiencing heavy squeezing chest with a heart rate of 110. I was put on Metoprolol twice a day which eliminated the problem. 3 months later same heavy squeezing but regular heart rate, they increased the dose to 3 times a day. Now 2 months later same thing again, yet I can excercise with no problem at all. I'm a non smoker, eat proper low fat diet, excersize regular and not overweight.
My questions are: Why initially does this not show up while doing a stress test and is this trend unusual with heart disease?
Thank you
John
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Oct 22, 1999 12:00AM
, Oct 22, 1999 12:00AM
Dear John,
Heart disease is a chronic condition and unfortunately blockages can and do reoccur. I'm not sure what exactly you mean by the question. Perhaps the blockage had not progressed to a point where it could be detected by the stress test when you had it. Or perhaps the stress test was suboptimal. In either case it is not a perfect test and symptoms are sometimes the best guide.
Heart disease is a chronic condition and unfortunately blockages can and do reoccur. I'm not sure what exactly you mean by the question. Perhaps the blockage had not progressed to a point where it could be detected by the stress test when you had it. Or perhaps the stress test was suboptimal. In either case it is not a perfect test and symptoms are sometimes the best guide.
