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I'm 71, and I've had several stress tests. I would never train for one because I would think the test itself might not be as accurate as I would want it to be.

My cure for calve cramps or other leg cramps when I'm running long distances is working very well for me. I have read lots of good stuff about mustard helping that problem, so now I swallow almost a teaspoon of mustard after breakfast and about 2 hours before a long run, and then I don't have any problems with cramps. The first time I tried that, though, was in a half marathon; and I had a problem with heartburn while I was running. I figured maybe the heartburn was due to the mustard (maybe a lot of acid?), so now I drink some water after I eat the mustard, and I don't have heartburn!

I spoke with the stress test staff prior to the "training" and they thought it to be rather humorous. And considering they were looking for blockage specifically, the exercise wouldn't impact the test at all.

However your mustard practice is interesting. I might try that. Do you use regular, or one of those laced with horseradish? LOL

(:>)

Ooooooh, that horseradish, I always get that "top-of-the-head-tingle" from that since I never can put the right amount on anything!

But, no .... no horseradish in the mustard; a spoonful of mustard by itself is potent enough!!

Some Doctors and medical people have an odd sense of humor. I guess it keeps them going during the dark days of treating the dying.

Those of us who work out every day and eat right are training for the stress test we never take..... This is a lifestyle choice not centered around an annual event.

I have a friend who couldn't walk faster than 3.5 mph without cramping in his calves. Testing showed he had "vascular" disease. Eventually he had dual carotid artery surgery, and later triple bypass. During the bypass he the Docs found an aneurysm which fortunately was caught and corrected. Talk about "hairy" surgery.... Most people would have died from this condition long ago. My friend was and is very lucky.

An effective medical test for determining vascular health is the Coronary Calcium test.

Another way is to measure your heart rate recovery following intense exercise. This is the basis of a controlled stress test. I check mine once in awhile to check for over training.

Measuring the resting heart rate is another way....

I wrote this ahile back about the same friend referenced above. Note the uselessness of the stress test for this man....

I have a friend who just had open heart surgery. Two weeks earlier his stress test showed "good" cardio fitness for HIS age.

A couple of months ago he complained of shortness of breath. The prior year he had blockage in 2 of 4 carotid arteries which had been "cleaned" up. He's had issues with blood flow to his calves. About this time he began to cut down on saturated fats. He was not a terrible eater, but no health nut either! There's no prior family history.

After the stress test he continue to feel, "funky" so the Doctor ordered a heart CAT scan. They found one main artery totally blocked and another 90% blocked due to plaque buildup. The ONLY reason he hadn't suffered a major heart attack is because he exercised. The body had developed smaller arteries AROUND the blockage! This is common for people who exercise. The years of marginal eating probably was the main reason for the plaque in the first place.

He had to make a decision as how to handle blocked arteries. He could go with stents which allow for faster recovery but are less effective in some cases. Or he could go with open heart surgery which has a 3 month plus recovery time. He chose open heart, which saved his life.

The rest of the story is that when the Surgeon opened him up they found and aneurysm on the main artery leaving the heart. That like a bubble in an inner tube. IT could rupture at ANY time causing certain death. The Doctors fixed the aneurysm and then performed the bypass surgery. He's a lucky man.

His chest hurts every time he coughs. Almost 2 weeks later he's walking with a walker. Fortunately, he's a strong man who has exercised all of his life. However, his body is riddled with plaque and vascular disease.

Here's a little bit more info about treatment for leg cramps.

Mustard - For years coaches have given mustard to their athletes with leg cramps. Cramps are sometimes caused by a deficiency in acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that stimulates your muscles to work. Mustard has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a spoonful or two of mustard.

Pickle juice - As with mustard coaches have given pickle juice to their athletes with leg cramps. Cramps are sometimes caused by a deficiency in acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that stimulates your muscles to work. Pickle juice has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a few ounces of pickle juice. Some of the stores that sell running merchandise actually sell small bottles of pickle juice.