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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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I Have To Take A Treadmill Test Whilst Treadmill Test Whilst Wired

I have to take a treadmill test whilst wired to an ECG on Tuesday? Do I have to stop taking my beta blockers and if so how long before the test? Thank you in advance all you medical people.
Thu, 17 Dec 2009
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Chuckler, This is a thallium treadmill test? Do contact your doctor's office, but normally beta blockers are not taken from 24-48 hours before the test. The Thallium TMT is a nuclear test, and beta blockers have been believed to reduce the sensitivity or precision of the test. As a result, they are usually not taken before the test. Didn't your doctor give you a list of food and drink to limit or stop a certain number of hours before the test? Normally, before a thallium TMT: 48 hours before: No beta blockers. 24 hours before: No caffeine (including in any headache or cold medications) 3 hours before: No food, water, or tobacco. Now, this is for the thallium test, which I think is the one you're taking since you said "treadmill" and asked about beta blockers. A stress test that some take when they cannot take a treadmill test is a simulated stress test. A couple of medications stress the heart without physical exertion in this one. If htis is the one you're taking, then you can and should take all your medications. However, I presume that you are not taking this one from what you say here. On the other hand, if you are taking a straight stress test, then you should continue to take your medications and simply inform the testing office of your medications. As I say, double-check this with your doctor's office, but normally you refrain from beta blockers before a Thallium Treadmill Test.
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I Have To Take A Treadmill Test Whilst Treadmill Test Whilst Wired

Chuckler, This is a thallium treadmill test? Do contact your doctor s office, but normally beta blockers are not taken from 24-48 hours before the test. The Thallium TMT is a nuclear test, and beta blockers have been believed to reduce the sensitivity or precision of the test. As a result, they are usually not taken before the test. Didn t your doctor give you a list of food and drink to limit or stop a certain number of hours before the test? Normally, before a thallium TMT: 48 hours before: No beta blockers. 24 hours before: No caffeine (including in any headache or cold medications) 3 hours before: No food, water, or tobacco. Now, this is for the thallium test, which I think is the one you re taking since you said treadmill and asked about beta blockers. A stress test that some take when they cannot take a treadmill test is a simulated stress test. A couple of medications stress the heart without physical exertion in this one. If htis is the one you re taking, then you can and should take all your medications. However, I presume that you are not taking this one from what you say here. On the other hand, if you are taking a straight stress test, then you should continue to take your medications and simply inform the testing office of your medications. As I say, double-check this with your doctor s office, but normally you refrain from beta blockers before a Thallium Treadmill Test.