I've had a few nuclear scans in 4 years, and a couple of stress echo scans. Before Nuclear scans, I've always been sent a leaflet telling me to NOT take my beta blocker the morning before the test, but I can take it when the scans are completed. With stress echo, I've always taken my beta blocker before the scans.
I heard done in 2012 you can take a beta blocker before a stress test, Is this true thank you
Now I understand. Thanks so much you guys! It makes perfect sense now.
when you stop your beta blockers you will find that you probably can't do as much before
feeling discomfort. Just take it easy. Also, you may find that your breathing feels different. Some people get on the verge of a panic, but you need to just remember that
you will be fine. When you leave the centre after the tests, you can take your beta blocker, I took one with me. It took about 20 mins before I felt the nice relaxing effects
from it.
The reason the beta blockers need to be withdrawn is because they need your heart rate to be elevated to get an accurate mapping of your heart. I assure you, if you take the beta blocker within the 48 hour window, the stress test will be extremely uncomfortable for you. When taking a beta blocker it's difficult to elevate your heart rate above 100 bpm, and they need your heart rate, given your age, to get to about 145 bpm. The short answer is that you absolutely need to stop taking it to have an accurate test. That being said, I hope you relay to your doctor your difficulties when you stop Toprol before you take the stress test. Let us know about your test.