Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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juniebe 11/04/2014

I'm just wondering if the stress echo I'm scheduled for later this week will cause me to go into afib. I think they want my HR up to at least 130 bpm, i KNOW this will start my heart skipping and racing. And it could go on for hours. Soooo, why would I start myself into an afib session is my question. Especially when I go to great lengths to keep myself out of afib.

Anyone have any thoughts? Cuz I'm thinking I'm not gonna do it.

BTW Happy Voting Day to all! Hope your candidate wins!

daisy0808 11/04/2014

I asked the same question when I went a couple of months ago the answer I was given is that they had digoxin on hand to administer if i went into afib. Thankfully I did not and all was well. Take the test, you will be fine and it will help them figure out what is going on and how to come up with the best treatment that should work for you. Good luck I know you will be fine.

ScottZZ 11/04/2014

juniebe,

I was in a real bad afib when I did my nuclear stress test one year ago. They were trying to rule out any blockage, which the test was successful and showed no blockage. There is a good possibilty that you will not go to afib either. So, hang in there.

Also, I hope they are doing the nuclear stress test so they can see everywhere in the heart. The regular stress test really will not be accurate for detecting any blockage.

Good luck,
Scott

juniebe 11/05/2014

Thanks for the encouragement, dears! I will give it a try, have been tested and tested for 6 weeks and still haven't rec'd even as much as a PIP to help. Getting to the point I'm always tired from the anxiety and stress. I'm going to this large group of cardios and I think I need to go somewhere able to give me more personal attention. I say this for many reasons, not just because I'm a crybaby and scardycat. We shall see! ( yes, they did give me Xarelto, so I guess they haven't completedly neglected me).

Hwkmn 11/05/2014

130 bpm should be like a fast walk and is the minimum for accuracy. I was told with my nuke run that 175 was what they like you to hit. That was a pretty fast jog for a few minutes, but I did it and it didnt throw me into AF. Test was negative. So my guess is, You wont go out of NSR and your test will be negative, most are. Then you get the PIP, good work!

yogacat 11/05/2014

I have a low HR. It was 56 when I started the treadmill.....it took quite awhile for me to get to 130.....but, No afib.
I drank a lot of water to stay hydrated the morning of the test...and they will give you water.
I was also told to take long strides, like speed walking rather than going into a jog with short steps. This was a huge help for me.

The staff will all be helpful and attentive to you, you will be fine!!!!!

PS.....perhaps call the office and request a PIP since you are concerned about going into afib during the test...and after.

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