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Posted 6/4/2007 5:20 PM (GMT -6)
My EKG showed some enlargement in the heart.  My doctor had me monitor my blood pressure for the last month.  The first half of the month was slightly over or bordline high, the second half of the month, my BP dropped to normal. 

Now my doctor wants to do an echocardiogram.  I'm worried.  How common is this test? 

He said not to worry, and is also checking me for anemia, thyroid problems, etc, but I still need some reassurance. 

I was sent for an EKG because of heart palpitations. 

Posted 6/5/2007 8:33 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Dorri!Sorry to hear that you are having some cardio issues.I recognized you from the cd forum.I have cd & cardiomyopathy.The echocardiogram is basically just an ultrasound of your heart.I assume that it is a fairly common test,I have an echo done at every checkup at the cardiologist.It is the same as having an ultrasound when your are pregnant,except on your chest.I actually find the echo to be somewhat relaxing & the highlight of my checkup.The only discomfort I've ever experienced was when the nurse applied to much pressure.My doc will usually come in to watch the test & let me know how everything looks.Also,you don't have to do any kind of prep,which is great since the prep for cd tests is usually torture & worse than the tests themselves!The echo should be a piece of cake for you & will give your doc a better idea of whats going on.I actually have one scheduled for june 20,& I am looking forward to see if I've had much improvement.Take care & good luck!!!! -Jennifer
Posted 6/5/2007 8:42 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks Jennifer..I appreciate the advice..good luck on your appointment on the 20th. Hope you see the improvement you are looking for.
Posted 6/9/2007 6:06 PM (GMT -6)
Dear dorri,
Please do not worry about this test as it is done frequently and non invasive. You can have it done in the physician's office or in the hospital setting.
The echo can show size of the chambers of the heart, including the dimension or volume of the cavity and the thickness of the walls. The appearance of the walls may also help identify certain types of heart disease that predominantly involve the heart muscle. In patients with long standing hypertension or high blood pressure, the test can determine the thickness and "stiffness" of heart walls.
It can also diagonsis other heart functions such as the punping function of your heart chambers.

Please do not worry as like many tests they are done to rule out the worst scenario to be on the safe side.

I hope this explains it a bit for you and I promise it is painless but I do recognize that anytime we are scheduled for tests it is a trigger for anxiety to set in.

Take care of you.
Posted 6/11/2007 10:36 PM (GMT -6)
Kitt, thanks for the reply.  I was very anxious last week and still am a little.   I seen the doctor last Monday, and they were to make an appointment with the hospital for this test and get back to me, but no one has called me yet?  I don't know how long I will have to wait but I am planning to go on holidays, so I am worried too, that they will make this appointment just when I'm going to be away...most tests around here have a 4-6 week waiting period, sometimes longer. 

Anyways, thanks for the reasurrance, it helped me to calm down.   

Posted 6/12/2007 4:02 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Dorri!That sure seems like an awful long time to wait just to find out when your appointment is.I think that you should give a call to check,just in case.You might want to tell them when you are planning to be away & to schedule around your plans(Don't let this spoil your holiday!!!!).You may even request to be put on a call list in case someone else cancels,to get you in faster(4-6 weeks is quite awhile!).That has worked to my advantage several times.

I wouldn't worry yourself too much.I'm sure that if your doc thought that your EKG results were very serious,you would have already had the echo by now.BUT in the meantime,if you do have any symptoms of heart trouble(ie:chest pains,tightning,shortness of breath,rapid heart rate,jaw pain,etc..)go to the ER.Take care & best wishes!I hope that you have a great time on holiday & keep us posted!!! -Jennifer
Posted 6/12/2007 4:31 PM (GMT -6)
I do have palpitations on and off. I also have been experiencing more stress and anxiety lately. The palps are why my Dr. sent me for an EKG. My doctor said the EKG results may be because I've been taking prednisone long term. My monitored BP was higher than my normal for the first 2 weeks of the month, in the upper 130's and even 142/86. Within the last 2 weeks it dropped within normal 114-120 /76-80 so he isn't concerned about the BP. I already had a blood test for cholesterol and tryglycerides taken and if there is something abnormal they are to call me.

Like I said before a 4-6 week wait in this area is nothing out of the ordinary. Since it's only been a week, I will wait awhile before I phone. My sister has been waiting 4 months for a ultra sound scan on her neck artery.
Over half of our stresses are caused by waiting for these darn appointments and tests..
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