stress test

Hi all, I normally use this site for Crohn's Disease. I have had to have a stress test done b/c i have a bicuspid aortic vavle that is regurgitating, also my pulmonic, and mitral are too but not as bad as the aortic (if you click my name i think you can see the post where i posted in the Crohns site that will give you the long story lol)

Tara, I'm not really sure about the "target" heart rate for your age, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along and post. But I did have a stress test done, and my target heart range was 170. I'm 32, so it isn't too horribly far off from yours.
Sarah

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Hi Tara :) So sorry to hear of your problems. They are of course very serious, as you know. You are way to young for this, right? They can fix you up, though. Advances in valve replacement are happening every day!

There are so many ways of calculating your target heart rate. I do believe that this is close to how the folks at the stress test facility may have done it, but I will do a search afterwards to see if I can make sure. I have had 3 stress tests long ago.

First, I think they want you to reach aroung 85% of your maximum heart rate, so:

HRmax = 220 − age

220-27=193 beats per minute (BPM) is your MAX heart rate.

 aldo, i couldn't get my heart rate up to 85% to save my life. if a person is on meds, i am supposing those numbers change.   Tara i am surprised they did not say anything. my guess is you are in pretty good shape. those stress tests last until they get you at a certain heart rate level, for some that might be a shorter period, and others it could be longer.

Thanks for all the replies. I am in ok shape I guess you could say. I use to be very active in sports etc but have developed deteration in my joints from steriods (for Crohn's), also arthritus pretty bad so I'm going downhill in the fitness area. The Drs office never called me today so I'm assuming that is good news. The lady that did the test said that if the results were of concern I would hear from them sooner. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it came out ok. Wishing everyone better health! Tara

Tara, got me ole fingers crossed all aver for you. Please be well and I forgot to say welcome to the board :) I sure hope that all is well with you today, despite your conditions.

It seems that if your aortic valve was regurgitating badly, you could not have stood an exercise test. Maybe that is a good sign that you have some time before it needs replaced. We can only hope....and pray

Dream, the only medicine that I know that will limit your heart rate is a beta blocker. They have always ask me to not take it on the day of the test. I did take it immediately after the test though!

Rj