echos

How often do you get echos? I don't mean if you're new or if you're having problems that need diagnosed, but when you're cruising along doing fine and just having regular checkups. My last cardio did one every other year but my current doc doesn't do anything other than bloodwork unless there's a problem. I realized I haven't had one in ten years. I meant to ask for one at my last appt but forgot.

8 Comments

Echos again

by ppt - 2009-11-07 02:11:48

I just had my 2nd at Cardio checkup and it is close to the 1 year since implant date. Thinking you might outta get one done since it has been so long ???

yep

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-07 03:11:39

I had them regularly right after I got the first pm, but now I hardly ever even see the doctor unless something is changed or the battery needs changed. I suspected it's been way too long, that's why I posted. And looks like I was right, lol. I'm supposed to call to tell him how I'm doing on the betablockers, I'll ask then.

echos

by Jaybee - 2009-11-08 02:11:47

My aortic and mitral valves were replaced with mechanical valves in Jul,1993 since then, my cardiologist insists doing Echocardiogram once in a year.

My PM implanted in Feb 2008 and I had been advised to follow same

Jaybee.

Frank

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-08 06:11:51

Echos are really easy. It's just an ultrasound so squirt some gel on the wand then poke it around on your ribcage for a few minutes to get a good picture of your heart. Fast and non-invasive.

When I had my first echo, would have been 1974 or 1975, they sent me to the hospital to have it done. I was terrified! The computer took up a whole room, it was their fancy new technology and the hospital was so proud of it. Now, it's portable and most doctors have them in their office.

Ill let you know

by walkerd - 2009-11-08 08:11:16

I go to my cardio Nov 19th for my checkup and he is supposed to tell me what he wants me to do as he will only see me once a year from now on unless something happens, if he doesnt tell me about it I will ask as my ef is so low anyways and with my heart condition I sure would like to know that my ef is at least staying where its at 24% and not dropping. I had one before my surgery and 2 after with in 6 months. Not sure what I will find out when I go.

I never have had one

by ElectricFrank - 2009-11-08 12:11:57

The cardiologist wanted to do one on me while I was in the hospital for the implant. He also wanted to do a chemical stress test. Since I was doing fine right up until the AV block developed I didn't see any urgency and felt the best thing for me was to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible. After the implant things went so well he and I both forgot about it and it's never come up since.

Occasionally, when someone here brings up ejection fraction I wonder what mine is. How is the echo done? What's involved?

frank

TraceyE

by ElectricFrank - 2009-11-12 10:11:37

Does that type of ultrasound give ejection fraction? Probably a good idea to get one before I come up for replacement. It might have some impact on what model pacer I should get.

I remember those early ones. Most of the medical equipment was a monster.

frank

Frank

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-13 04:11:40

Yeah, I think it does give EF, though I've never asked what mine is either. Going to this time!

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.