Echo

I had an echocardiogram done in September when I got my PM. Something I've been thinking about and that remains confusing to me is that the EP who put in the PM said she never actually looked at any of my valves etc.... that she was just looking for electrical functioning.

From what I understand...the echo looks at your valves. Is that correct? I was told the echo in combination with blood work (cholesterol) and a stress test were all the information they needed to determine if my heart muscle/structure were good. They determined my heart as a muscle was good.

I was also told by another doctor that an echo's results are good for about 5 years. That it would take about 5 years for anything to "build up" in your heart for the echo results to change. Does anyone agree?

These questions are coming from recent chest tightness and a stabbing pain I will get every now and then. I can take a full breath, am not out of breath, no other symptoms. Was told by another fellow member who I respect fully that it was probably muscle....and it probably is. I was relieved to hear that! xo

I had a routine visit with the EP and when I mentioned the chest pressure to her she said follow up with the cardiologist. I did and he said he would give me another echo just to make sure everything was fine...but he didn't seem concerned at all. He said he didn't think it was heart attack related at all but sometimes people with PM's get these feelings in their chests.

However, they are having trouble getting my insurance to approve the other echo...so I may not get one.

I guess I am banking on the hopes that the last echo is September is proof enough and that structurely everything is fine.

Looking for some high hopes and feedback....fingers are crossed it's all positive!

THANKS AS ALWAYS

6 Comments

I know you know...

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-30 01:05:08

Cut yourself some slack! You realize what you're doing and you seem to be snapping out of it faster than you used to. That's improvement! Pep talks always available upon request.

Go outside and do something fun today with your precious daughter, get your mind off this. Make it a great day!!!

Hi,

by Gellia3 - 2010-05-30 04:05:41

I think they have to do the echo with Doppler to check the valves.
You may have had the echo part and they didn't do the Doppler thingy. All they have to do is turn on the sound and use some gloppy stuff and you can hear any regurgitation you have. I'm real noisy and I scare everyone! Last time the techie went running down the hall to get the dr. LOLOL

Chest pain can come from inflammation, too. You've just had your surgery, right? I think there is bound to be some inflammation there. And, inflammation anywhere can be painful. The nerves can refer the pain to some very strange places.

I think I've had all your symptoms at one time or another, Wend. After awhile you get used to some strange feelings (I had what I called my "Little Man" that would knock inside) and ignore most.

I really believe that we will know when something is seriously wrong. I always have. Just give yourself some time. Trust that little computer. It's very reliable. I have my life in its hands and have for nearly 35 years. I hope to have it alot longer, too!

Like Tracey said. Enjoy the beautiful weather and try to hold fast to "All will be well.".

Happy Memorial Day, my friend.
Gellia

Hi

by Jayson20 - 2010-05-30 07:05:04

HI wenditt,

I also have at times discomfort on my chest (left side especially) and they sound similar to yours. My echo was all good so i try to remain cool.I also had 2nd degree block probably due to over exercising but i dont have a pm.

Just so you know your not alone with this sort of symptoms.It has never progressed to anything serious and I think when it is something serious you will feel the difference.

wenditt

by LS - 2010-05-30 07:05:29

It's hard to push all of that "fear" aside. I know that.
Problem is, it holds us back from living & enjoying what we have smack dab in front of us.
Hope you're able to push a bit of the fear aside & enjoy.
Liz

pep talk time :o)

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-30 10:05:05

You know you're doing it again, right? :o) {{{hugs}}}

EP's only deal with electrical problems so they would refer you back to your cardiologist for anything plumbing or structural. I would expect that.

Before the pm I had routine echos every 3-5 years, xray once a year. Since then, only as needed. I think I've had 3 echos in 16 yrs. My dr does not do a lot of tests unless there's a problem, which I love about him. If there's a problem he's all over it, but if nothing's wrong he doesn't do more than blood work and an EKG once a year.

Echo would show the structure of the heart, the condition of the valves and the ejection fraction. None of those things is going to suddenly go from normal to problematic since September. I would not bother with a new echo.

Part of aging is getting aches and pains we can't explain. Once they've done the tests to rule out anything wrong, sometimes we just have to accept that there are no solid answers, but trust that anything wrong would have showed up in the tests. Our bodies are complicated machinery with a lot of things drs still can't explain, no matter how advance medicine is. You are fine :o)

I know....

by wenditt - 2010-05-30 11:05:31

I know....I'm doing it again. With tears in my eyes I know I'm doing it again.

I just can't make the leap from them telling me everything is fine to BELIEVING everything is fine. I'm trying....just not there yet and I hate. I feel emotionally handicap in a sense.

It is such a sad irony that I have so much to LIVE for yet have such difficulty actually LIVING and enjoying each day.

But I appreciate coming here and getting the pep talks.....they day they happen...is a day I actually LIVE.

So thanks TraceyE.....today just might be a good one after all!

xoxo

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