Stress Test

Yesterday I went and had a stress test. My doctor decided because I was having so much stress and it was causing some anxiety I needed to know that my heart was okay.

So I made a 8:30 appointment. Sid and I were there on time. Finally at 9:00 they came and got me put an needle in my arm for the radiation liquid they would put in later, put all the patches on me and put me in the room with the treadmill. My kids I know are saying ahhh Mom is having anxiety now. But it wasn't bad. We were waiting for the Cardiologist. The technician kept coming in and saying it won't be long now. Just a few minutes more. About 9:45 in comes the doctor and we get started.

So Sid is in there, the cardiologist, the two technicians and me on the treadmill. This is only a 5 minute stress test. They start the treadmill out slow for them fast for me and every minute or so make it go faster and on an incline. They had my heartbeat up to 150 minutes per minute and my blood pressure was great, 130/80. One the the technicians even put her hands on my back to kept me walking and so I wouldn't fall off. Then when there was a minute left they put in the radiation fluid. So far so good. They took my blood pressure after I got off the treadmill and it was 120/78. Really good.

Then they told us to go eat something and be back in 45 minutes for the pictures they were going to take. It was now 10:00.

So we arrive back at the clinic at 10:45. This is the machine that took the pictures of my heart. I had to lay with my arms above my head for 15 minutes without moving. Breath in and out. Sing hymns and primary songs. Finally the 15 minutes are up. I went out to the waiting room to wait with Sid to find out if the pictures turned out. They didn't. My good old liver didn't release the fluid good enough so we had to wait another 45 minutes for more pictures.

This time my left arm thought it was going to fall off. I'm not used to having my arms above my head. This time I was counting slowly and singing more primary songs. Finally it was over and we came home. It was noon. Wasted Sid's morning but I was glad he was there with me.

To make the story short, the cardiologist called about 3 o'clock and said everything looked good. My blood pressure was great and he could see no blockages. To make an appointment for two weeks. So I did.

Oh I love getting older, 65 last October. But I least I know my heart is still healthy and that is great.