Heart Tests

I had my tests on my heart done yesterday. I started with the echocardiogram...which was no biggie. But it was really, really cool to see my heart on the screen and watch it work.

After my echo, I went in for the Tilt Table Test. This test sucked. The purpose of the TTT is to see what is happening with my heart when I move from a lying to a standing position. When I arrived for the test, they put in an IV cath, just in case my body reacted badly and they needed to push meds. All of the heart leads were hooked up to the machine and a blood pressure cuff was put on. He told me to lay down and he strapped me onto the table. The baseline (lying down) data was taken and then he stood me. This is the position that I stayed in for 20 minutes. At the end of the 20 minutes, he gave me a nitroglycerin tablet and this is where it got interesting. Within a few minutes of the nitro, my body couldn't regulate and I passed out. Which is appearantly the goal of the test...see what it takes to make the heart no longer be able to compensate. And essentially, it didn't take much for me.

I did get a lot of information yesterday, but want to hold off on telling you about it until after I have met with my cardiologist on Oct 1. I will tell you though, my heart works so hard when I am standing that it is like I am taking a brisk walk. When I am actually taking a walk, it is like I am running. So, this really explains why such simple things have been so hard.

I feel positive about it now because there is a treatment and I hope that I will be feeling better again soon. I will give you more specific information after I have met with my doctor.

Thanks again for all of your prayers.