Are Drs. Fishing for Dollars?

[4ssss]

Stop your heart? ON PURPOSE?? Sounds like you need a new Dr...just sayin'.

Chemical Stress Test​

A chemical stress test (also called a pharmacologic stress test) is used when the physician has determined that exercise on a treadmill is not an appropriate choice due to the patient's medical condition. Chemical stress tests are a common practice. In this situation, medications are given that either cause the coronary arteries to dilate or cause the heart rate to increase. The chemical response is similar to the response caused by exercise.

Through your IV, a chemical called Lexiscan will be injected. You may feel similar to what you would feel if you were exercising. You may feel a shortness of breath, headache, flushing, chest discomfort or chest pain, or dizziness. In some instances, there may not be any symptoms to the stress agent. If you feel any symptoms, please let the technologist or nurse know.

You will have a team of medical professionals who will closely monitor you throughout the entire procedure. Once your test is complete, you will continue to be monitored. You will again be given water to drink, as well as coffee, soda and crackers. Caffeine is the antidote; any symptoms that you may feel will subside with caffeine intake. You may be told at this time that you may leave to eat lunch. At this time, your IV will be taken out, and you will have an hour to return. Upon return, you will be asked to lie underneath the gamma camera once more. Once your stress images are completed, you are free to leave.

This article also fails to mention that all these procedures cost 20 times as much as walking on a treadmill

 

[basstracker89]

My wife was supposed to have knee replacement last October. Her Endocrinologist, Primary care and Surgeon trying to get the the required tests.

BP too high, cholesterol too high, low potassium, etc....

Finally had it done in May. I believe it's all BS. Too many tests, costs, co-pays, lost work and so on. It is very tiresome

It really is. But medical science is the only thing keeping me alive. I swear some of those test they come up with to have you fail at somethin.......

 

[BillsCamino]

I've had dozens of Stress tests...both on a treadmill and chemically induced.

The procedure does NOT stop your heart !!
The idea is to obtain a target heart rate based on age.
Xrays are taken before and again after you reach target rate and injected with an isotope.
The pictures are compared looking for possible blockages.
I have 4 stints.

 

[4ssss]

I've had dozens of Stress tests...both on a treadmill and chemically induced.

The procedure does NOT stop your heart !!
The idea is to obtain a target heart rate based on age.
Xrays are taken before and again after when you reach target rate and then injected with an isotope.
The pictures are compared looking for possible blockages.
I have 4 stints.

You're right. The last one I had felt like a tick and I blacked out for a second and scared the heck out of me

 

[BillsCamino]

BTW....If you plan to fly within 24 hrs of the isotope, you'll be given a medical card stating the procedure.
You can show up on a TSA scan as a dirty bomb.
The isotope dissipates after 24 hrs.
I've been there....

 

[BIKER13]

Chemical test was horrible.Drank all their provided drinks and ate all their cookies and still felt like sheet.

 

[basstracker89]

Last treadmill test was a walk in the park. Apparently I reached an age where they don't push you as hard

 

[Psilloh1]

I know I answered this question in another post, but a few months back I was finally going to have my knee that I banged up 40 years ago on my Harley replaced. Ortho Dr. sent me to get a EKG, to which my reg. Dr. wouldn't do for whatever reason, but referred me to a Cardiologist. Of course he was with the same medical group that she's in. So, he takes the EKG, listens to my heart, looks over recent labs and says everything looks good. BUTTTTTT........ He wants me to take a stress test. So, I say ok, I can walk a treadmill, in pain, but I've walked around our local park and have lost almost 70 pounds in the process for a while now. Well, HE decides that I can't walk, bad knee you know, so he's going to give me a chemical stress test. For those that don't know, they inject you with something, and it stops your heart for a gazillionth of a second, and they get their data when it starts back up. That is, if it does, they have a heart team on standby, just in case it doesn't. I know this, because years ago, when I was 70 pounds or more heavier and actually couldn't walk, they did this to me. They give you a can of Coke (yes the soda) to get your heart rhythm back in step after the shock of dying is still fresh in your mind. Well, I refused the test, said he was searching for a solution to a problem that didn't exist, and walked out without the clearance I needed for my knee. So I still walk in pain, but I'm used to it after all this time and I am a Trooper.
Now comes last Friday. I go to my regular Dr. for a yearly checkup. Every thing good. BP great, some tests I had before, good to go. Need scripts? Yep, refill them all. Let's do a prostrate exam real quick, just for old times sake. Well, I guess I say. OK good, I'm going to take a couple more blood tests before you go too. Hey, can you take a leak? No problemo I say. Today I get a call, and guess what. My Vitamin K is elevated. VITAMIN F'N K!!!!!!! What the F is VitaminK????? And how many people have ever heard of Vitamin K????? Better yet, how do they develop a test for Vitamin K, and how many Drs. actually test for Vitamin K???? Now my wife is pissed at me because I told her I don't give a crap. I ain't dropping any more money on Drs. that go looking for non existent cures for non existent illnesses. So, rant over. Hope you enjoyed the story. I'm enjoying the silence in the house.

You have been watching to much Doc Hollywood.....

 

[glocker]

My wife was supposed to have knee replacement last October. Her Endocrinologist, Primary care and Surgeon trying to get the the required tests.

BP too high, cholesterol too high, low potassium, etc....

Finally had it done in May. I believe it's all BS. Too many tests, costs, co-pays, lost work and so on. It is very tiresome

You know they do have to make sure that the patient is healthy enough to go thru the anesthesia .

 

[basstracker89]

You know they do have to make sure that the patient is healthy enough to go thru the anesthesia .

Just hate jumping through hoops.....