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stress echo questions

Good Day,

I am having a stress echo soon.  I have some logistical questions and maybe 1 or 2 more.  First, why can't you eat within 6 hours of the test?  Is it because it would effect the test readings, or is it just because they are worried about you vomiting or being too bloated to exercise?

I was also wondering, will they make me exercise until my HR reaches 220 minus my age?  Is that the idea?

Finally, the last part of my question.   I am obese.  I'm 5'10"  300 lbs (male).  Although I do exercise regularly, I only do a heart rate of 140 or so.  Plus, I have chronic fatigue.  I am worried that pushing myself into the 180's will cause me to pass out or something.    Is being at my weight going to be bad news pushing my heart so hard?  Does obesity not cause one's heart to be far more stressed at the same heart rate than a slim person?

BTW, I am having this test because I had shortness of breath with PVC's.  I had a normal echo before, but no stress test.   My potassium is chronically borderline low,  average 3.4.....would this be a possible cause of PVC's and how to bring up my potassium?
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The reason you can't eat is just in case something bad happens during the stress test or there is a very abnormal result and you need an urgent procedure (such as heart catheterization).

Your maximum predicted heart rate is 220 minus your age. To be a diagnostic test, your heart rate needs to meet 85% of that number.

Your weight should not affect anything. These tests are often done on people with obesity. The goal will be to get you to reach 85% of your maximum predicted heart rate, but they will not push you past what you are capable of doing. You will have the ability to stop when you have to, and if that is before you reach target heart rate, then the test will be "non-diagnostic" but not worthless. A lot can be learned from how long and how hard you exercise, how quickly your heart rate recovers, etc. If you don't reach target heart rate and they really need a "diagnostic test" then you could be scheduled for a different kind of stress test that doesn't rely on exercise. However, if you can exercise, it offers the most prognostic information of all the stress tests, which is why it is usually ordered first.

Low potassium can be associated with PVCs. There are potassium supplements and some diuretics that increase potassium. You'll have to your doctor about whether those are indicated in you, since I don't know what your other numbers look like.
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Avatar universal

The best advice I can give you is to leave the details to the technicians and the doctor administering the test.  They will be able to answer all your questions and determine the parameters of the test depending on your physical abilities.  You will eat after the test but not before.  
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