To be extremely anxious about going for an exercise tolerance test tomorrow?

[babsmargarita]

Hi all.
In the last few months I have had some problems with my heart beating too fast and too irregular etc. along with many other symptoms. Been to the doctors a fair few times for ECGs and blood tests but they couldn't pinpoint the issue. Have now been booked an ETT.

Thing is, to be very honest I am very embarrassed about my body and my fitness level. I'm roughly 5'3" and weigh between 10st and 10st 5lb, depends on fluctuation etc. I've been trying to make an effort recently in losing weight after gaining loads in comfort eating since my sister passed last summer and have started to do about 30-60 mins exercise everyday and count my calories but my efforts have yet to kick in as I've had no time to exercise recently with revising for school exams.

I have cried thinking about this tomorrow. I also have been booked an echocardiogram for the 31st in which I'll have to strip down from the waist up. My appearance makes me incredibly sad and although I recognise that this test is purely medical and that doctors have seen all varieties of bodies, I am dreading having them see the state of me.

Has anyone else had one of these, or an echocardiogram done, and how was your experience? Were you not exactly in the best shape possible too, and did you feel uncomfortable? Complete honesty please!

TIA

I'd feel anxious too, but you're still going to do it aren't you and hopefully rule out anything untoward being wrong with your health. Feel proud of yourself that you are brave enough to go through something you fear.
Sorry to hear about your sister. It is understandable that you would find comfort where you can, and look you've already started an exercise regime to take back control at a shitty time, so well done!
You're not very overweight, and even if you were it's not the doctors job to judge you, just to help you deal with any health issues, and I'm sure they'll be pleased to hear that you are helping yourself already. Yes they have seen all sorts, including me I had lots of medical interventions when I was obese, and I'm very sensitive but only occasionally did I have an "awkward" conversation, and while it is upsetting, it's nothing you're not already aware of.
Good luck tomorrow, just remember to be kind to yourself and ask for help when you need it

OP, you will be fine. Your BMI puts you about 25 (if I have done the calcs right) so not actually overweight. Anyway, doctors will have seen all sorts, and will be focussed on the results on screen, not your wobbly bits.

I had a battery of tests after the same symptoms as you - echocardiogram is very similar to an ultrasound when pregnant, you lie on your side and the doctor moves the probe thing around your chest to build up the picture. I actually found it interesting seeing the picture build up on the screen

I had a cardiac stress test, presumably the same thing as an exercise tolerance test. You are wired up to an ECG then start on a treadmill at walking pace, which is gradually increased in speed and incline until you can go no more. It is worse if you are really fit as the agony lasts for longer!!

I'm the exact same height and weight as you! I hate the way I look as well, although I have this week started the blood sugar diet so fingers crossed that improves things significantly.
An exercise tolerance test sounds hellish but I genuinely don't think anyone will be looking at how much you wobble. They'll have seen bodies of all shapes and sizes. Don't be ashamed, it could get you some real help

I have had an echocardiogram, yes you have to strip to the waist but only you and the operator will be there, and at my hospital you can ask for a female operator. You will lie on a bed and there will be a screen which shows totally uncomprehensible pictures of your heart and your aorta! It is a bit like having a scan, they have an instrument that is moved over you in various places on your chest and back. You will be asked to breathe, breathe deeply, hold your breath etc at various points, and will have to turn over to your back, or onto your side. Takes about 25 minutes as I recall, though mine was a bit longer as she was new and called her supervisor in to check a few of her findings ( everything fine, she was not angling the instrument quite right). I don't think that your height /weight ration is awful, it's a bit better than mine!

I have the same issue with my heart beating irregularly sometimes and was very worried about why and what the outcomes would be, but the echocardiogram reassured me and my consultant that my heart is physically fine and that my aorta is normal . They could not tell this from the holter monitor or the ecg so I was glad to have the reassurance the echo gave .

good luck, the chances are you are fine, apparently many people have an irregular heartbeat and are completely unaware of it.

I'm far more overweight than you and have recently been through the same tests.

The echocardiogram was embarrassing because you really are naked from the waist up but the staff in mine were lovely and made me feel as at ease as possible. Not once was my weight mentioned even though it could legitimately be a factor in my issues.

The fitness test was nowhere near as bad as expected. There's a brief top off moment while they attach all the sensors but once they're attached I was allowed to put my top back on...just make sure you wear a baggy enough one that this is possible.

In terms of fitness they were surprised and I was by how much I got through. The test is designed to push you to your limits and will keep increasing in difficulty until you have to stop. Just go for as long as possible so they can get the readings they need.

The reassuring thing I found with both tests is the testers aren't decision makers. They aren't there to diagnose or pass judgement just to do the science bit so the consultants have as much information as possible to help you. Not once did they make me feel stupid/useless/lazy because I was overweight which was entirely how I expected to feel.

Try not to worry too much, take a drink for after the test and best of luck

I'm a doctor. Please don't worry about it. Most ETTs are done on elderly people in fairly poor health. You are probably Paula Radcliffe by comparison

Also, this is hard to explain, but HCPs just don't look at bodies in the same way at work as in normal life. I look at least 3 bottoms a day for example (for work!) and don't think twice about it whereas I would be hideously embarrassed - just like anyone else - if a friend suddenly dropped her trousers in front of me! I promise that the HCPs will not be judging your body or even thinking about it.

I had a scan on my heart last summer and I am several stones heaver than you. The lady doing the scan was lovely and didn't comment on my size at all

I am your height, 3 stone heavier, and I look lovely 😊 , you prob don't judge other people's appearance, so don't be so harsh on your own.

My daughter had one of these done a few weeks ago, she's 13. There was no stripping off involved, cardiac nurse put the ecg probes (can't think of the right word) on her under her tshirt.
You'll be fine, and you're not particularly overweight, don't be so hard on yourself.

Guns and banjos, I think your daughter probably had an ecg, which measures heart activity, not an echocardiogram which shows a picture of how the heart is working.

Thank you so much for the support everyone! I'm feeling a bit more confident about this already

I know it's for the best and it's just a 'necessary evil' if you like to find out more about my health.

shinynewusername thank you for this perspective! It's good to hear from a doctor because as much as I appreciate all of your responses I still had a little thought of 'yeah but what about what the doctor REALLY thinks!' nagging at the back of my brain somewhere

safetocross you know you are exactly right! There are people of all sizes that I see everyday and I never have looked at someone in public and thought 'God they're fat' etc, it really is just the spotlight effect we all have I suppose!

Once again many thanks everyone I'll just see where tomorrow takes me x

Good luck babsmargarita! PP have already said everything I would have said (albeit more eloquently), so I'll just say this: we always tend to be our harshest judge. Not quite the same but I used to have a skin condition and would always dread going to the dermatologist because I was afraid I would freak her out or that she'd mock me. That was never the case and she was nothing short of lovely.

Relax, drink a nice warm beverage before you go, and who knows, you'll feel better afterwards once you get more information about your health and can actually formulate a plan!

Hi OP.

I've had quite a few Echocardiograms and not once have I had to strip naked on top. Every time, I've worn a gown that opens at the front, which they don't actually open completely. so if you're not offered one, maybe you could ask?

I've had a stress test too and it's honestly not as bad as you expect. I'm a bit overweight too and managed ok.

Good luck for tomorrow, you'll be fine!

thank you SeeFoodDiets! I will absolutely be putting my feet up beforehand saving all my energy for the treadmill eh

HappyLabrador oh that gown sounds much better! I had read that when I looked it up online however as PP had said they had to strip down I'm thinking it's just the luck of the draw with what technician or hospital you're at! I'll definitely ask about it as I'm quite big in the chest and that's a whole other embarrassment for me when I lie back and they've gone under the armpits haha but it's only natural I suppose lol

I had a mammogram and breast ultrasound a few weeks back and got a follow up one tomorrow. I was asked to strip my clothes waist up but then given a gown. All the HCP were very lovely and professional and there was a total appreciation for my need for "modesty". So gown not undone until needed and gently flipped back over when done - that kind of thing.

Also - the very nature/tone/aura the HCP had (not quite sure of the right words) meant that as the Dr above said - it felt like they were dealing with a totally innocuous part of my body. The slightly detached (but kind) way I was dealt with meant it could as just as easily have been the back of my hand they were poking and looking at.

Try to not fret and good luck with the tests/diagnosis.