New Coronary Artery Disease diagnosis

I am new here and new to heart disease. I went to my PCP with palpitations and was sent to a cardiologist.
He ordered an echo which was fine and Holter and a stress test. The test was at 8 AM and I was really dehydrated already. I was expecting the treadmill to start slowly, but it didn’t. It went fast and steep immediately. My mouth was so dry I couldn’t swallow and I became short of breath a few minutes into it.
He kept it going faster because he wanted my heart rate to increase to maximum, but because I take Bystolic and it stayed around 60. He said that my echo was good, but I had CAD and I need to get a nuclear stress test to see how bad it is. He told me the options if it is severe, like cardiac catheter, stent, or bypass surgery.
So that is scheduled next week and I’m really frightened- none of these options sound good..
I’m 71 years old and never thought I would have heart disease. My anxiety is over the top! Anyone have any advice about how to prepare for this?
Thanks.

Thanks..It’s on Thursday and I’m rereading the directions. Nothing but a few sips of water with meds.Last time the dry mouth was worse than anything! We’ll see if I make it.

Heart issues are more common with age. I've been through a bunch of tests and discovered that I have CAD. This was two years ago, and I am now your age. I do the best I can to prevent a heart attack or a stroke by eating a heart-healthy diet, exercise, get sufficient sleep and reduce stress. I had the echo/stress test, which was normal. The Coronary Artery Calcium CT scan picked up the CAD, with a high calcium score, indicating a lot of plaque.

Take care and hang in there.

Test over, but I won’t know results till next week. The worst thing about it was of course when he Injected the Lexscan. I got a headache and nausea that lasted over an hour and was tired all day from getting up around 4.
Next step is hearing the results. I guess the results will be whether the cad is mild, moderate, or severe.
Coincidentally, I had labs done from my pcp last week which showed my cholesterol at 167; which was a little higher than usual. So my veins aren’t clogged with cholesterol!

My results were totally negative! I asked why he said I had CAD and was told that nuclear stress test is much more accurate 97% I think.
I do have PVC’s and PAC’s, but no follow up.
I’m glad to know that I don’t have CAD, but the anxiety I experienced was pretty grueling.
Thanks for all the support.

Cath1492 said...
My results were totally negative! I asked why he said I had CAD and was told that nuclear stress test is much more accurate 97% I think.
I do have PVC’s and PAC’s, but no follow up.
I’m glad to know that I don’t have CAD, but the anxiety I experienced was pretty grueling.
Thanks for all the support.

Wonderful! I hear you about the anxiety.

I follow the American Heart Association dietary recommendations and exercise guidelines, and take a statin. So far so good.