[Susie]

I have a question I have been meaning to ask, but, I keep forgetting. Here it is.

If you have an EKG or echo, and your heart is fast, like 100 or more, usually 120, wouldn't that be the same as a stress test? I mean, I know on a treadmill, your heart speeds up and they test to make sure it is healthy when under pressure. Well, my heart is always under pressure when I have an EKG or echo, rate above 100, and, for the most part, the tracings are good. So, my question is, wouldn't this be the same as a stress test?

I know the doctors have never told me to have one, so maybe it is the same. What are your thoughts?

Oh, I looked at a chart for maximum heart rate for my age on the Mayo Clinic site, it is 116 to 141, so, I have been over 120 during one or two EKG's.

[CMoore416]

Well I'm not sure buy I know with a stress test your heart goes up to a higher pint to achieve your maximum HR. I wouldn't think 100-120 was high enough. Plus I think it beating faster upon exertion is different than it bring fast from stress or anxiety. But this is just my guess. Sorry I can't help!! Hope your having a good day!

[dr461]

Originally Posted by CMoore416

Well I'm not sure buy I know with a stress test your heart goes up to a higher pint to achieve your maximum HR. I wouldn't think 100-120 was high enough. Plus I think it beating faster upon exertion is different than it bring fast from stress or anxiety. But this is just my guess. Sorry I can't help!! Hope your having a good day!

My target for a stress test was a lot higher--it was 150. I had tons of difficulty reaching it, as I have been a long distance runner and walker in my past days before leg injuries. Now, I do 4 miles every other day, but it is hard to reach target.

[Chaoticdopey]

my target HR for a stress test is 197bpm, my last test i could only get to 181bpm because my legs started locking up (Im out of shape =)) but i think they want you on a tredmill so you get winded and they can see if your heart is getting enough oxygen while you are walking.

[Susie]

Wow, those are high rates. Do they gauge it by how much you exercise? If so, mine would be low, I have only walked and not even that since Summer. I know I need to walk more, but, due to the "skips" I am afraid to.

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by Susie

Wow, those are high rates. Do they gauge it by how much you exercise? If so, mine would be low, I have only walked and not even that since Summer. I know I need to walk more, but, due to the "skips" I am afraid to.

from what ive been told its 220bpm minus your age so in my case 220 - 23 = 197, i remember my first stress test i got to 209bpm and only needed 200 then they stoped the test, god was i tired, the cardiologist that started the test told me to get any results i had to get to at least 170bpm

[dr461]

Originally Posted by Chaoticdopey

from what ive been told its 220bpm minus your age so in my case 220 - 23 = 197, i remember my first stress test i got to 209bpm and only needed 200 then they stoped the test, god was i tired, the cardiologist that started the test told me to get any results i had to get to at least 170bpm

That is a rough formula--it is 200-220 minus your age, and an adjustment for physical conditions non cardiac related such as surgically repaired knees and ankles. They need to get the heart going over 150 MBP, at least, and that is a very rough target. Weight also influences the equation, as does height. They just look at a chart, which lists age, weight height, and body mass, and that gives the target. Figure if you can sustain over 150 for 6+ minutes, you're getting a good stress test.

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by dr461

That is a rough formula--it is 200-220 minus your age, and an adjustment for physical conditions non cardiac related such as surgically repaired knees and ankles. They need to get the heart going over 150 MBP, at least, and that is a very rough target. Weight also influences the equation, as does height. They just look at a chart, which lists age, weight height, and body mass, and that gives the target. Figure if you can sustain over 150 for 6+ minutes, you're getting a good stress test.

well maybe because my age they didnt add wight or hight cause im 6'3 285lbs and they still stuck me in that formula, and yes i forgot about surgeries and i think my bmi is like 34 if im correct. and i think i went for a good 7 minutes

[dr461]

Yeah, I have not seen 40 in a while, and they added my age, height of 6' 1", and weight of about 200. There was an adjustment for a surgically repaired knee (three arthroscopies) and a rehabilitated torn quadriceps left tendon, so they figured 150 was good enough. I never reached it, as I tend to exercise a lot, so they let it go until my knees could not stand the treadmill angle any more.

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by dr461

Yeah, I have not seen 40 in a while, and they added my age, height of 6' 1", and weight of about 200. There was an adjustment for a surgically repaired knee (three arthroscopies) and a rehabilitated torn quadriceps left tendon, so they figured 150 was good enough. I never reached it, as I tend to exercise a lot, so they let it go until my knees could not stand the treadmill angle any more.

150 is what they test my friend at, he had an ICD put in after his second heart attack and actually was zapped while on the tredmill, his hearts in bad shape, what sucks is i try to ask about what he feels when he has these abnormal rythems but he dosnt seem to know much about his condition, all he tells me is "I take what the doctor gives me and hope i dont get zapped" i think its better not to know all these terms, i guess it dosnt scare you as much not knowing all this scary technical crap. but i comment him for cheating death 5 timesand still going strong at 57.

and it would probably be hard to do the test with a bmi of 40 or more, its hard enough for me at 34