Sunday, November 30, 2008

So, you're booked for a cardiac stress test. Terrified?

By Dr. T. Johnson

You almost had a heart attack when your doctor told you about the upcoming cardiac stress test he had ordered for you. It's almost as simple as having your blood pressure checked. Relax.

The cardiac stress test is an ingenious way of getting your heart to reveal it's secrets, if it has any. In this article, you will learn what it is for and why you should not be nervous about taking it.

I was scared silly when I went into the clinic for my stress test. What had I done to deserve this? Why hadn't my doctor just given me a pill or something? What would I do if there was something wrong with my ticker?

Heart disease can be very hard to diagnose sometimes, especially in women. My cardiac stress test showed I had one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel and I felt fine!

To properly assess your heart, it must be made to work a bit. This tells the whole story. This is why you often hear of people having heart attacks when they are doing something.

A reading of between 140/90 and 90/60 is considered normal. Any readings over those and your doctor will want to investigate further. Consider any concerns your doctor has as blessings. Many people don't find out till it's too late that there are problems. Remember, your blood pressure is only an indicator of your overall well-being.

Cardiac illness is not just for fat people, smokers or old folks. It is sneaky and can lay you out flat in no time with no warning. Blood pressure of between 90/60 and 140/90 is considered normal and any time yours falls outside that guideline, have yourself checked out right away.

Sometimes your arterial system may be on the verge of a major breakdown and there is no way of finding out without stressing the system a bit. This is what the cardiac stress test does. It's like your mechanic taking your car for a test drive to confirm what you told him the problem was. The test is painless. There is not much to it and the technicians are not sadists. They are there to help you work your body a bit so that any shortfalls will become apparent.

Your greatest enemy may be silently lurking in your veins. I am grateful that this technology was there for me. It is quick and painless. The people giving it are well trained and kind. It is like the repair man coming to your house to check the squeaky clothes dryer. He has to let it run for a while to make sure what the problem is and so it is with the cardiac stress test.

Whatever is scaring you, whether it is the sight of you puffing a bit on the machine or that scar on your back, the technicians have seen it all before. Go there relaxed and confident if you can. You might even find the experience enjoyable!

Slowly, the technicians will make you work a little harder all the while watching your vitals signs like a hawk. Their goal is to make your heart work a little harder and, if it is hiding any secrets, force it to reveal them before you find out the hard way that there are problems.

If you smoke, your doctor has probably been nagging you about it already because it does raise blood pressure. If stress is a big part of your life, make sure he or she gets you some help in lowering the pressure in your life. There are many action plans available if your cardiac stress test reveals a problem. It's all good.

There are few tests around that will reveal as much about you as the cardiac stress test. Don't be afraid and don't worry. Whatever the outcome, you will consider it a win-win situation and you gotta like that. - 16955

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