Cardiologist vs. EP con't

Thanks to everyone that commented on my post. I really appreciate it. My cardiologist and my EP are both in the same clinic so that is why I see both. My primary care doc is the one that usually monitors my bp. But after getting out of the hospital my cardiologist decided to start managing my bp or possibly co-managing it with my primary because he asked if I was still seeing the same primary. While I was in the cardio's office he had a medtronic tech come in to make sure that my pm was working correctly. It was. So I guess what I am asking is... do I really need to see my EP (he implanted the pm) as long as my pm is in good working order and I am not having any problems electrically? I was told in the past by my EP's nurse, which in my opinion acts as if she is some sort of a cardiac goddess that for everything else heart related that I should be seeing my cardiologist. So why can't he do my pm check-ups and then if he sees a problem then I should see the EP. Does any of what I am trying to say make sense?
Just trying to cut out appts. that I may not have to have.
Mona

6 Comments

Good Question

by mrag - 2010-01-21 07:01:27

I have a local EP who did my single lead ICD (and his cardiology practice still monitors my interrogations and coumadin). I later needed a "ventricular ablation" done and we agreed an (big time) EP in a nearby city (University) hospital should do it. That EP referred me to an associate CHF specialist cardiologist. So now I got a local EP and a distant EP and a distant cardiologist. So far the "distant" cardiologist has recommended I be upgraded to a CRT model ICD and has told the "distant" EP that. I guess the bottom line for me is, I'll continue with all three. Otherwise, I'd take the "best" cardiologist and let them advise me me on what I might need from an EP.

WOW!

by jessame - 2010-01-21 08:01:15


Your delimma sounds like a jigsaw puzzle. When do I see which doctor??? My EP did my ablation and then after that he did the pacemaker. Thankfully both my cardiologist & my EP are within 5 miles of where I live.I guess when I see my cardiologist on the 12th of Feb I will get his opinion on why I need to see my EP in March.

Doesn't work

by ElectricFrank - 2010-01-21 11:01:44

The problem is that the cardiologist is unlikely to recognize a problem as electrical. He is much more likely to throw meds at it.

frank

Hmmmm

by bgarza - 2010-01-22 02:01:56

Interesting dialog, Frank makes alot of sense. An EP put in my PM, but I'm seen by a Cardiologist at a PM Clinic every 6 months. So far, there is no talk about seeing the EP again. I've had a couple of issues (ER visits) and the cardiologists did talk directly to the EP by phone. I'm seen at an Army Medical Center and the EP is local (meaning I need a referral to see him). I'm going to keep this information in mind for my next visit and ask. Thanks for the dialog.

Plumbers and Electricians

by pacemaker writer - 2010-01-22 07:01:06

I once wrote this in a document ... and I've heard doctors "quote it."

I said that when it came to the heart, cardiologists are plumbers and electrophysiolists are electricians.

Your heart is a pump that runs on electricity (which the healthy heart produces on its own). If your heart has a plumbing problem (clogged vessel, leaky valve, inefficient pumping action), you need a plumber ... a cardiologist.

If your heart is pumping OK but the electrical system needs some adjustment--like it runs too fast, too slow, or erratically, then you need an electrician ... an electrophysiologist.

Frank is right, cardiologists tend to be more drug-oriented although they also do surgeries (interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons), while electrophysiologists tend to like EP studies, electrical testing, gadgets, and implantable devices.

Ah Ha!

by jessame - 2010-01-22 10:01:03

Frank,
That does make alot of sense to me. I guess I just assumed that a cardiololgist would knowthe difference.
Thanks, Mona

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