Athletic condition... sometimes?

[is_something_wrong]

I can't figure this out.

Well, I had something similar to a stress test done today, but without EKG. I've seen a physiotherapist for tense muscles in my back and shoulders (causing occational chest pain it seems..) and she wanted to check my condition. I did this test 8.00 AM today, when I was completely relaxed (well, as relaxed as I could be before doing a stress test :)

Anyway, my results: (on the bike, not treadmill)

188 cm / 79 kg
Expected capacity: 251 watts / 12 METs

Resting: (well, on the bike, I wouldn't say "completely calm") :)
HR 58

2 minutes:
HR 89 - work load 100 watts - 5,4 METs
4 minutes
HR 118 - work load 160 watts - 8,0 METs
6 minutes
HR 130 - work load 200 watts - 9,8 METs
8 minutes
HR 144 - work load 240 watts - 11,5 METs
10 minutes
HR 158 - work load 280 watts - 13,2 METs
12 minutes
HR 170 - work load 320 watts - 15 METs
13 minutes
HR 178 - work load 340 watts - 15,9 METs

I decided to stop the test, recently I had a cold so I didn't want to go full out. I could speak complete sentences until 12 minutes, though I'm not sure I would be able to achieve my max heart rate of 208. I take a small dose of beta blockers by the way.

Recovery heart rate:
1 minute: 132 (-46)
2 minutes: 104 (-28)
3 minutes: 89 (-15)

Conclusion: Excellent aerobic capacity. Excellent heart rate recovery. No shortness of breath, chest pain or experienced palpitations.

I guess this is good, but what I can't completely understand is why I after a stressful day at work feel I'm close to disaster just by walking 6 flights of stairs up to my apartment (the elevator occationally needs some CPR and a day of recovery time :p)

Shouldn't stress activate the "fight/flight" reaction and make exercise easier?

Anyone else experiencing this?

[grendslori]

and if you suffer from a form of heart disease and are not yet aware of that and you do the test and something happens to you....then what? It is very possible for a patient to have some form of heart disease and not even be aware of it. Sorry, but any time a test is being done like this, to this degree, is a stress test and a doctor should be around, somewhere.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have no idea what a VO2 Max test is, so I assume I've never had one.

But the best I can recall (in USA) when I have had nuclear stress tests there is at least a "duty doctor" who makes his presence known to me.  But the hands-on testing was done by technical (or doctor assistant, nurse...).  Echo was done by a technician who does this job all day, so lots of practice, hope not too boring.   I am sure there was one or more cardiologists in the center/area, but they never came into my presence.

Part of the problem with "overkill" on tests and procedures in the USA is the need to protect the medical personnel/organization from law suits, which are out-of-control in this country.  What we need are more doctors and fewer layers.

[is_something_wrong]

Well, I can't see what would be dangerous by doing a VO2 Max test on a healthy young man like myself. Here, you can get those tests done almost wherever, like at the gym (by your personal trainer), at sports centers, physiotherapists do them, etc.

That said, you are asked if you are in good shape, and if you suffer from organic heart disease (not counting PACs, PVCs, small SVT runs, etc) you need approval from your doctor. Of course, to screen for angina, a full EKG monitored stress test supervised by a cardiologist is done.

By the way, that's one more difference. Here, tech personnel never do stress tests or echos. The doctor himself do.

So I guess the difference goes both ways..

[grendslori]

I was actually stunned that you had this 'stress test' and that is exactly what it was without a docto present!! That's flat out dangerous. When we ran these tests, we weren't even allowed to begin the test unless there was a doctor present in the room; if the doctor got held up, so did we. There are a lot of factors on why your heart rates can vary. The medicines and the time of day that medicine was taken can be a factor, even how well your body is hydrated can be a factor. Take care  

[is_something_wrong]

Thanks!

What I find strange is how my heart rate (during exercise) is variable based on stress levels, etc. Sometimes, my heart rate is 180-190 just by running and sometimes when doing the same, it's 140-150 (when I'm relaxed). I know beta blockers will reduce my max heart rate some, but it seems I have really different adrenalin levels in my body.. well I assume that's what a bit anxiety is all about.

I will keep you informed in the back pain.

[shay933]

Do not understand a non 12-lead stress test. Any stress test should show a beginning 12 lead stess test. Then of course watch for ekg changes such as S-T depression. Many times arrhymia will accur soon after exercise. Of course this could accur at anytime. Not taking this place of the professionals, but I have experienced, when working large muscles, in a different way than what I was use to, often tired me to no end. Short of breath, however, no palpitataions.
Good luck and happy Thanksgiving

[Jerry_NJ]

Wish I had your numbers, but then maybe I did 40 years ago ;  (

At 30 my formula says you absolute maximum is 220-30 = 190, not 208.  Did you get the 208 number from real testing, i.e., exercising at that level from at least a few minutes?

The fact you had trouble speaking after a workout at 178, suggests to me 178 is at or over you maximum HR.  As a past runner I was advised if I could carry on a conversation with a running party (or aloud with myself) my HR wasn't too high, whatever it was.  This may not work for some runners.

If you find a cure for the back pain (chiropractor or physical therapist/therapy) point me to the answer, please.