Blew my stress test

[debbier]

I had my stress test today and true to form I had an anxiety attack as soon as I walked into my cardiologists office,    My heart rate was at 136 without doing anything, I got it down to 117 and they started test, I did the 9 minutes without a problem got my heartrate up to 175.    My blood pressure went to 208/100  too high,  my cardio is going to put me on bp meds, I am so upset with myself that I allow these heart issue to upset me like this.       My cardio is the only place that gets me that upset.         Thanks for letting me vent,   Ugh so mad at myself.   If I would have stayed calm I would have doen fine and my bp would have been fine,    at home my pulse is around 75 and BP 120/80.    He told me he has to treat my bp number under stress.      

[Jess1965]

I am very "cardiophobic". About 11 years ago at age 50 I failed a routine treadmill test (I really think my anxiety caused it to be "positive"!). So I had to have an angiogram. (Don't think I didn't pee my pants on that one!!) Totally normal. About 5 years later, was having a little chest discomfort, so they told me to come in for a treadmill. Failed it again. Another angiogram. Totally normal. The doctor said "Don't let anyone give you another angiogram!" Females (I am) have more positive treadmills than males. I maintain my anxiety had everything to do with it. I agree with everyone--your blood pressure needs to be monitored at home or in a non-threatening place before you get put on medication for it! And DON'T beat yourself up like we're all saying here--unfortunately, "white coat syndrome" is all to common!

[jimgreg]

and alot of people asnd i mean a,lot of people get white coat syndrome..you can be very calm and still have a high bp.. and h.r.

[jimgreg]

this is what i dont agree with..ur not at the docs that long and they want gto pump  you up with bp meds if ur h.r, at home is 75..thats perfect at rest..the 120/80 is great too..then they will put you on a water pill and a beta blocker then thats when you start feeling bad..cuz your bp will drop to about 110/65  or less..heart rate will decline to about 60-65..i just dont get it..im on bp meds since age 19 im 46 now.. my bp was up due to trauma to ther skull of course my blood p is going to be up i just had a trauma to my head..ive also got anxitys..a home is the truest blood p readings..urs was high but not that high..mines been 220/ 130  p 62  i have bracardia..but urs isint that bad anxitys related..my cardiologist wouldn't have done this..i think you need a 2nd opiun..bp meds wont harm you..but they do make you have unwanted side effects..im on 3 difft bp meds now..i have all kkinds of side effects..good luyck to you

[john248]

Welcome to the "white coat syndrome" club. I too am a member. My pulse jumps and bp goes up 10 points every time I go to my Cardiologist.

[SassyLassie]

I am like you all. I have not had a stress test, but, let me walk in a doctor office, and bingo, up goes the pulse rate and pressure. My pulse is very low at home and so is my pressure, so, if they suggest a bp pill, I won't take it. I have read in books that having these rise in numbers is common, so, try no to worry. I have even taken my pressure in stores and home after cleaning really hard, and it is STILL normal.

One time, I had to go to the ER as my tummy was hurting so badly, this was a few years back, anyway, as I walked in the door, I actually felt my heart "leap" into a fast mode and the longer I waited the worse it got. I think it peaked at around 130, not sure. Anyway, the doc gave me a shot of a beta blocke to lower things, I did not want it, and my system fought it and it didn't work, this ticked him off. So. to make a long story short, he sent me home telling me to see a psychiatrist, which I didn't do. The heck with him. I went in for a tummy ache and they really did not check that. UGH, I get so angry.

Oh yes, he also told me it was abnormal to have a heart that high due to stress, I say "balderdash" I would like to see him scared, or better yet, through him out of a plane and see how calm his heart rate is. Honestly.

[OxygenRunningOut]

same here. i'm a 30 y/o male and i get panic attacks when i go to the doctor. the worst thing about it is i live in queens, ny and go to a community health center full of people 24/7 (i have no health insurance, of course), and people with no health insurance here in NYC are treated like garbage, like charity cases....the ER at the hospital is utterly disgusting, they never clean the bathrooms and the nurses are nasty....so i hate the hospital and get the panic attacks. i have bad anxiety and depression, and at home, my bp is bet 115/70-125/80, but last time my heart rate was 140 bpm, bp, 157/85, a full-blown panic attack. thank god the doctor was smart and did not put me on bp meds.  you should NOT be on bp meds if your resting bp is less than 130/80 BTW!!!  

[jkfrench]

My pulse was 127 before I started.  I have the same problem as you.  The minute I start driving to my doctors appt. I can feel my heart start speeding up.  I get there and it is NEVER under 120.  And my bp was about that high at some points during the test too.  It is interesting how all doctors are different.  He just had me take my bp 3 times a day for a week and bring him the readings.  It is so low at home  (100/60) or less that he wasn't concerned.  I wish there was a way we could all go in together.  At least we wouldn't feel so foolish..lol
I take this treadmill test once a year.  It is coming up in June and I'm already dreading it.
Frenchie

[Jerry_NJ]

Stop by the BP machine at Walmart and your grocery store if it has a pharmacy.  I think these are accurate enough.  

Look in particular for your BP being "too" low, and especially if you have any dizziness.  These would be signs that your beta bocker is doing too much.  That being the case, talk it over with your doctor suggesting that you should not be taking the drug.  If you BP looks near normal, then the BB is helping or at least not doing any harm.

[nervouslady]

Hey - you just described me to a T.  I have a terrible fear of doctors and doctors offices.  At my stress test I was 139 sitting down...I was honest that I have panic attacks and they disregarded that.  Did you tell them you were having a panic attack?  you don't want to take meds if you truly don't have high bp.  Everyone's bp goes up when they panic.
Sorry you had a bad experience.  I know how awful that is.  Forgive youself, no one is perfect!

[Barbmag]

Oh, please do not be so hard on yourself!!!! Just let it go and know that things happen for a reason...so don't worry. You will eventually get everything worked out and be just fine.
Sometimes if I take something from the health food store, like a product called, 'Calm' it helps my nerves or I just take extra magnesium...it's nature's calming supplement and works nicely most of the time. There are others as well.
Best to you~~