My father was rushed to hospital by ambulance and discovered that he had congestive heart failure.?

Question

should he have a stress test the next day. I've heard this can be hard on your body. His EKG was normal.

Answer 1

A stress test is done for several reasons: 1) To determine if there is any evidence of coronary heart disease; 2) to determine how much cardiac "reserve" the heart has; and 3) to determine how much, if any, the heart has been damaged.

There are two main types of stress test. One involves the patient progressively walking faster and faster until they tire. The other involves injecting the individual with a substance that speeds up the heart to "stress it" as if they had exercised very hard. In both tests, the patient is closely monitored and the test is stopped if they experience any pain or other signs/symptoms that could lead to trouble.

One of the biggest reasons for congestive heart failure is due to coronary artery disease. When the muscles in the heart do not receive enough oxygen due to blockage or narrowing, spasm, or some other reason, parts or all of the muscle can die or become severely stressed. This stress can cause the heart to enlarge and lose vital pumping capacity. When this happens, congestive heart failure occurs.

There are many other reasons for congestive heart failure, but I would guess the physicians are looking for a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. If found, it's possible your father could be a candidate for coronary artery bypass surgery to "bypass" the narrowed arteries using healthy arteries from another area of the body. This may help relieve the stressed heart and lessen his symptoms.

He should be prepared for some lifestyle changes. The doctors will have him watch his salt and fluid intake, and he will probably be on a course of cardiac medicines. It goes without saying that he will be advised to avoid high fat diets, especially those high in saturated fats. If your father is healthy enough, the physician may recommend a daily exercise routine, and he will be advised to quit smoking immediately if he smokes.

The American Heart Association is an excellent website to get further information on CHF: http://www.americanheart.com
Scores of people live with CHF for many years and do well on their medical regimen.

I wish you and your father the best of luck.

Answer 2

I don't know if I would say that a stress test is hard on a body but it does push it's limits.
One will usually do walking type exercising and the test is changed many times throughout the test and it's difficulty and speed is changed in order to challange the patients endurance.
Qualified people are present during the testing and IF should a problem arise,they are able to handle the situation. . . . no need to fear.
EKG's don't always tell everything that is going on with one's heart. . . many people are sent home from hospitals with normal EKG's that end up dying at home from heart problems that weren't detected on an EKG.
Congestive heart failure is just that,a congested heart that is failing to work properly. It certainly CAN become stressed if put under alot of "work" when the heart is in a bad state of "congestion".
Your dad will need to quit smoking if he smokes,will need to lose weight if he is overweight,will have to watch his diet and will have to watch his fluid intake.
I wish your Dad well.

Answer 3

I would recommend the stress test. The test can tell the docs how serious the CHF is. If there is fluid build up that needs removed, they need to know about how much. Yes it is hard on the body, but it provides valuable information. They have a team there and monitor the whole time. They also can modify the test for those who are physically unable to complete it. Just make sure you're in a good heart hospital, not a backwoods hospital.

Answer 4

i'm so sorry to take heed to approximately your canines. In September 2006 I had a Dobie clinically determined with Cardiomyopathy (CHF). She became seen by using our vet & a heart expert. Had an EKG accomplished and he or she additionally wore the Holter visual show unit for twenty-four hours. She became placed on meds and became doing high quality till could 2007. For over a month her concern steadily went down hill, little or no potential to even carry herself as much as walk, and lots subject respiratory. On June 6 as undesirable as I hated it I made the decission to enable her bypass the subsequent day. It broke my heart to loose her, yet I knew she fought her maximum suitable and became getting very drained so we made our final trip to the vet . i can assert a minimum of I had those greater 9 months along with her after she became clinically determined.

Answer 5

Yes ,It can tell them a lot they need to know .
It is over by now right ? They would have given him the chemical stress test not the tread mill.. My prayers are with your father .
He will need to set up some exercises .And diet.

Answer 6

my mom has it and my sister has it and i have sighs of having it. and stress tests are needed to see how strong the heart is and what meds can help. mom has had it now for 9 years and because of the stress test results she is still with us because they were able to see what was totally wrong. t&ps r with your dad

Answer 7

It's routine...especially for minor attacks or warnings...I think you should let him go and partake in the tests that will determine a few other factors they may need to work to better his condition whatever it may be...good luck. Try not to worry.

Answer 8

Sorry to hear that..hopefully they will keep him under observation for a few days and when he is stronger,they should do tests..and someone should look after his diet and lifestyle when he gets out of the hospital.
Best of luck to you and your dad.

Answer 9

It is a difficult test ... it's done on a treadmill; but they monitor you very closely.

I don't think they would ask for the test if there was a concern, but you may want to get a second opinion.

Answer 10

no cngestive heart failure is really serious it does not have anything to do with stress. my best friends mom died like 6 yrs later from it.