by J W.
Member since:
September 7, 2007

stress test death

February 24, 2009 04:18 AM EST
views: 492 | comments: 38

Last week the wife of my mom's friend went to the doctor to take a stress test. This was done on a treadmill. There are two kinds chemical stress test and also the treadmill kind. She was walking doing the stress test and all of the sudden she tells the tech guy she feels funny and wants to stop the test so they take her off and put her in an exam room and then approximately 30 minutes later she dies. Do you know anyone who has ever died from a stress test ? This lady whose first name is Angela was on disability for a pre-existing heart condition. She was only 36 yrs old. It scares the crap out of me because if I ever have to go for a stress test I am gonna ask for a chemical one and not the treadmill kind because this scares the crap out of me. I will tell them the reason why too because I knew of a lady who died during one or as a direct result from taking one.

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Comments: 38

Claudia (kitty-cat) K. Feb 24, 2009, 4:21am EST
If she had a previous condition, you would think that they would have given her the chemical test, would you not? This sounds like medical malpractice.
Kathryn E. Feb 24, 2009, 4:30am EST
It is extremely rare to die after a stress test. And I don't think they should have given this woman a stress not with a pre-existing heart condition.
Heather C. Feb 24, 2009, 4:31am EST
Sorry Claudia, but this is a test so they can look at the heart while stressed. It is a common test and I have a friend who is a doctor and had one and it told them he needed help asap. He had a history of heart disease and had to get two stents put in.

However this is a test they tend to do before doing a heart catherization. I have had two catherizations done...one was to clear me for an operation on my arm. When they do a heart catherization it done in a hospital and more risk.

I would find out what the options are before I would take a stress test if I were you.
★ツ♥êll¡ê♥ツ★ . Feb 24, 2009, 4:38am EST
wow I am so sorry to hear about this my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time in need.
Karen R. Feb 24, 2009, 4:45am EST
I had to do a treadmill stress test once. It made my asthma flair up and they would not left me have my inhaler. They made me keep going till I reached the level they wanted. Then I had to be scanned before they finally let me have my inhaler. I guess I do officially have exercise induced asthma (as well as due to allergies). I am sure I had it as a kid too, but they always said the pain in my side and my difficulty breathing was because I was overweight. My asthma was finally diagnosed when I was 25 and pregnant.
Karen R. Feb 24, 2009, 4:46am EST
I am sorry to hear about the loss of the wife of your moms friend...that is awful.
Leah Christensen Feb 24, 2009, 5:39am EST
My childhood best friend collapsed after walking down a flight of stairs. She was only 22 years old. It's scary when things like this happen.
Andrea H. Feb 24, 2009, 5:53am EST
Wow, sorry to hear this.thanks for sharing.
Elaine S. Feb 24, 2009, 6:07am EST
I had a friend who had a stress test done,he passed it ,left the hospital and died of a heart attack the next day.

Prayers and Hugs being sent.
Ariel Storm Feb 24, 2009, 6:29am EST
I'm sorry to hear about your friend's mom. I never realized how dangerous a stress test could be.
Vic Needs Coffee Feb 24, 2009, 6:57am EST
I have never heard of that before.
J F. Feb 24, 2009, 8:04am EST
Anything is possible. And she already had a condition. I had to have the chemical one because I am not capable of doing the treadmill. Talk about scarey! Believe me, I would have rather had the treadmill one. I have heard of that happening several times. There are risks for everything. I went into the hospital for surgery and it didn't go well. It also resulted in another major surgery. I will suffer the rest of my life. There are no guarantees in life. We had a friend whose daughter went in for a basic gall bladder removal and died.

I know that it scared you, but those instances are few and far in between. I have had terrible experiences, but that is part of life at times. I can't be paranoid because of it and try to deal with it the best I can.

Hope you are healthy and have a good day.
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Feb 24, 2009, 8:19am EST
to me it sounds like she may have had a reaction to the chemicals(they are risky), or maybe she should not have been having a stress test at all since she has a pre existing heart condition. I wonder why they didnt go with a echo. or maybe they did and it didnt show anything?
John S. (arizona) Feb 24, 2009, 8:19am EST
I've never heard or know of anybody that died from this before, but I won't take the treadmill test again myself either. While on the walking treadmill they increased the angle of the walking surface and when I was done my right heel hurt real bad. I eventually had to go have surgery done to the damage of my Achilles tendon!
Doris "Toadmama" Pearson Feb 24, 2009, 8:48am EST
I'm 70, I have congestive heart failure and angina.. I refuse both the walking stress test and the chemical one.. they can both kill, doctors can treat for heart disease without the stress test.. I never let doctors dictate to me on things they can treat without the danger of taking a test that can kill you.
Janie E. Feb 24, 2009, 8:50am EST
Now, this is scaring me, because my hubby had a stress test done on a treadmill several years ago. They must've seen something they didn't like because they stopped the test! Sorry to hear about your Mom's friend, J. W.!
Gessy D. Feb 24, 2009, 10:09am EST
Sorry to hear about your wife's friend's mom. I had one of those stress test. It is exhausting. I had to run on the treadmill and they were increasing the speed. I told them I could not go on then they stopped.
tammie p. Feb 24, 2009, 11:28am EST
people have had bad reactions to the chemical kind also which resulted in death. but overall the percentage of adverse reactions are very slight. sorry this happened to your mom's friend. i had 2 in the past 3 yrs
Brian .. Feb 24, 2009, 6:51pm EST
that's awful!
I've never done one of those.
donna h. Feb 24, 2009, 10:18pm EST
I had one years ago
Larry H. Feb 25, 2009, 12:33am EST
actually I am afraid if I took a stress test it would kill me.
ashish j. Feb 25, 2009, 12:30pm EST
its a rare occurence. shudnt discourage u frm taking the test. just that you need to b careful
Mary Ann S. Feb 25, 2009, 8:30pm EST
Wow. I bet you thought your doctor knew what hewas doing/
Jodie B. Feb 26, 2009, 2:05am EST
That is pretty rare. Scary though.
Karolyn Q. Feb 26, 2009, 6:57am EST
It is pretty scary.
tammy rambo Feb 26, 2009, 9:10am EST
i don't know why they put her on a treadmill if she had a pre existing condition
Darin Waugh Feb 27, 2009, 8:02am EST
I don't know anyone who died from the test. I'm really sorry that it happened!
Candice Z Feb 27, 2009, 2:15pm EST
Wow, that is scary. Very sorry to hear that.
Sarah (I want points) Feb 27, 2009, 2:27pm EST
Wow! That is scary. I'm so sorry that this happened... I can't believe it.
Alison H. Feb 28, 2009, 12:02am EST
I wonder how often this happens. How awful!
Debra H. Feb 28, 2009, 2:06am EST
I know people who have died from both. The heart can only take so much and a diseased heart is already fragile. Your friends life was literally in the hands of the tech, and many times people fail to speak up soon enough because they have a need to prove to themselves they aren't as bad off as they really feel.

I have had the chemical stress test and if you suffer from any kind of anxiety or panic attacks I highly recommend you have a long discussion with the person(s) who will be present.
Sue M. Feb 28, 2009, 2:07pm EST
Wow... that is scary! So sorry this had to happen.
Ken K. Mar 2, 2009, 9:30pm EST
That's awful.. Sorry for your loss. Don't be frightened though....
Lou Anne L. Mar 3, 2009, 9:48pm EST
WOW...and we do this voluntairly???? So much for preventitive HUH?
Kathy D. Mar 3, 2009, 10:45pm EST
Oh my goodness - that's so scary (and sad)
Debbie W. Mar 3, 2009, 11:05pm EST
That's terrible. If I had a pre-existing condition, I would opt for the chemical test.
Sandra L. Mar 4, 2009, 12:58am EST
I wonder if there will be a lawsuit out of this. That is awful.
curt taylor Sep 16, 2009, 7:09am EDT
i had a chemical stress test yesterday and it was the most inhumane thing i have ever experienced. i writhed in pain and can only liken it to electro shock therapy in terms of impact. that tool became unavailable to doctors eventually and chemical stress tests should be banned also. I have not had the old electro shock therapy but i hear the new modified one is not near as bad. these tests should be modified also. Why do people just take doctor's word for everthing and anything?

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