Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
Is this a normal result? I didn't really get an explanation. I have fainting issues and autonomic nervous system damage from Lyme that causes my BP to drop and then fainting. I was on midodrine at it's peak when I did the test. We were trying to make sure it doesn't spike my BP during exercise. I had to request to stop the test after a very short amount of time running.
ETT 4/14 demonstrated frequent RBBB/left superior axis VPBs, that suppressed with exercise; 17.2 METS, max BP 116/66 (transient drop early in exercise from 108 to 92 systolic), peak HR 190 bpm (98% max); minimal ST depression immediately post exercise, resolving by 39 seconds of recovery.
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
RBBB means right bundle branch block
VPB means ventricular premature beat
"A right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a defect in the heart's electrical conduction system....RBBB usually has pathological cause, although it is seen in healthy individuals"
"Ventricular premature beats (VPBs) are commonly observed in clinical practice.1-2In patients with no underlying heart disease, VPBs are considered benign and besides reassurance, no specific treatment is generally indicated.3 In recent case reports and small case series, however, it has been demonstrated that frequent monomorphic VPBs may cause dilated cardiomyopathy."
Monomorphic refers to a wave pattern seen on an electrocardiogram
Since the above quote mentions that cardiomyopathy MAY result, here is a little on cardiomyopathy which may or may not apply to you:
"Cardiomyopathy (KAR-de-o-mi-OP-ah-thee) refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments.
In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue.
As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart becomes weaker. It's less able to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs). In turn, heart failure can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
The weakening of the heart also can cause other complications, such as heart valve problems."
At any rate, perhaps now the doctor can understand what is going on with your heart to cause you these problems. Hopefully he can give you some treatment to alleviate it.
Read the full write-ups at the links I gave to get a better understanding of what is happening in your heart.
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
ETT is exercise tolerance test. Another name for the stress test.
4/14 is likely the date you had the test.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Exercise capacity is reported in terms of estimated metabolic equivalents of task (METs).
Based on the following, it appears that most people cannot finish the test and that 17.2 METs is pretty good:
Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
Thank you TF. I did read about it. I've had lots of EKG's this is the first time RBBB came up. Also the first time I had any PVC's during a 12-lead.
What happened was I was supposed to just do the test with a tech and not even see my EP. My main concern was a weird fainting episode the week before. I faint all the time from low BP but that incident was different. The original reason for the stress test was to see if midodrine was spiking my BP during exercise. As I sat up before even getting on the treadmill I went into bigeminy and the tech paged my doctor to come in.
I did the test. Had to stop pretty quickly and then he asked me if I wanted to implant a monitor right then if he had time to. We had discussed a monitor briefly before but up until then it seemed like I was the one more concerned and wanting it documented. The week before he didn't take me very seriously when I had called about my HR going from my normal tachy to 34-40 in episodes.
So I'm trying to figure out if something in the above stress test made him take me more seriously or what changed his mind.
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