Pacemaker Club: Effects of Ultrasound

Effects of Ultrasound

by jimkirschvink
2009-02-25 09:02:18
Complications
2442 views
3 comments

Has anyone had any of the "Ultrasound Tests of the Heart and Arteries" testing, where a bus drives around and does ultrasound to see how hardened your arteries are? I would like to do it, I'm not sure how it will effect my Medtronics PM. They do about 7 tests for under $200. This company is called "healthfair.com" and it's in the Denver area. Let me know what you think. I've never had these tests done, and it could be a good kick in the butt if my arteries are getting hard.
Thanks

Jim Jim

3 Comments

No worries m8

by BillMFl - 2009-02-25 11:02:49

Ultra sound does not effect your PM. I get those tests done every few years. They are easy, non invasive and rule out hiden problems like anuerysm. Cheap insurance. You will get an ejection fraction, carotid artery scan for plaque build up, a scan of your heart muscle to rule out hytropathy, etc. and a test for peripheral artery disease. I always give a copy of the reports to my Cardiologist to put in my file. He jokingly calls me a good "historian" for keeping copies of all my tests and lab reports in a file I keep for myself.

Good point Gonnie

by BillMFl - 2009-02-26 10:02:17

I forgot to say they do an ECG strip too and that they are very prompt with advice if they see a problem. If nothing drastic shows up, it takes a few weeks before you get your report in the mail.

Those tests saved my life!

by Gonnie - 2009-02-26 11:02:26

I had no idea I was having heart issues until I took the tests offered by a mobile unit (Lifeline Screening). I went for the heck of it and had the carotid artery ultrasound, the atrial fibrillation testing (bingo! for me) and the peripheral artery testing. It wasn't long and I received by overnight mail, the results of the fibrillation test telling me to take these results to my doctor pronto. i did and the rest is history (PM/ICD implant last July)! I agree they are pretty cheap insurance and since our insurance companies dictate what kind of testing we should have, I believe this is one area we can have some say over. I'm not sure I'd still be alive had I not gone last spring so count me in as a believer!