I can’t do the treadmill because I couldn’t make it one minute of walking. That is because of either an undiagnosed problem, seronegative Myasthenia Gravis, or Myeloproliferative Neoplasm/Thrombocythemia. Or it could be a heart problem, which is what they’re testing for. So, they will do the nuclear test.

I have the instructions for avoiding food, caffeine, beverages, beta blockers, medicine, etc. I dread that pumped up feeling.

I had one back in early July. I spent the night in the hospital before the test, so they took care of making sure that I followed correct procedure. That meant a very light snack the evening before the test. After that no water or food until after the test which happened in the early afternoon.

The test itself is kind of weird. The first thing they did was a scan, followed up by an EKG. Then they pump some drug into the catheter on your hand, and almost immediately you feel like you've just done some wind sprints. They do another EKG, and then in less than 5 minutes, your heart is back to normal. Then they follow that up with another scan.

Had one a few months ago. Fasting before and then I had to bring food to eat between two parts of the test. Was there for almost 4 hours.

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Asheville, NC Area

Mine starts at 8:30 so the fasting part won’t be quite as bad. How long does the hyped-up feeling last? That is what I’m dreading.

I had one last year, a PA saw something on an EKG she didn't like and put me through a battery of tests (only to come back with, "You're fine, you don't have a heart problem." Which I guess was nice to know, but a royal and expensive pain to get to).

Anyway: it's no big deal. Regular fasting before a procedure stuff, and it's over in 45 minutes or so. The "make your pulse race" part is not fun, but it doesn't last all that long.

Bring a lot of water. Once the test ends it will flush the iodine and any after effects out of your system fairly quickly.

Make sure your will is up to date, and that your fave MRF'er's are beneficiaries.

I've had surgeries that were more pleasant than that damn test. Hopefully techniques have improved in the intervening years.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
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Red Bull.

I had one with the treadmill, co-worker had one without. No big deal for either of us.

Years ago when spending time visiting family, it was common to hear over the PA system, “Adult team, adult team, adult team to the cardiac lab,” and off they would dash. Good luck.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

I always thought with the treadmill test they would give you a heart attack and then back it off a little.

It’s not that bad. I had one few years ago. Made fill warm and made my heart but I don’t remember it lasting very long.

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Grateful11

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Grateful11
It’s not that bad. I had one few years ago. Made fill warm and made my heart but I don’t remember it lasting very long.

As best I can tell, people who are in shape won't think much of it, at least if its the 85% of max heart rate test I found. Mid level cyclists on up can do at least an hour (if not multiple hours) at that intensity.

Obviously those who don't exercise with intensity would have a different experience.

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mattkime

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Grateful11
It’s not that bad. I had one few years ago. Made fill warm and made my heart but I don’t remember it lasting very long.

As best I can tell, people who are in shape won't think much of it, at least if its the 85% of max heart rate test I found. Mid level cyclists on up can do at least an hour (if not multiple hours) at that intensity.

Obviously those who don't exercise with intensity would have a different experience.

Pretty much my experience. Boring power walk on the treadmill.

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Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

I’m not doing the treadmill. I can’t walk over two minutes at an increasing speed. They can’t figure out why but want to rule out the heart.

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Dennis S
I’m not doing the treadmill. I can’t walk over two minutes at an increasing speed. They can’t figure out why but want to rule out the heart.

Report back.

I hate going to the doctor but I'm usually pretty successful in distracting myself with all the weird / interesting tech.

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