What do they do at your cardiology appt?

[Eyoung222 6]

Just curious to know what goes on at the cardiology appt? I have one in September, but I just wasn’t sure what all that entailed.

[KathyLev 285]

I went for an EKG at the hospital first. It came back slightly irregular,so I was sent to see a cardiologist . All he did was listen to my heart ( 5 minutes) and sent me for a stress test . The stress test was easy - took about 45 minutes. They gave me drugs thru an IV that made my heart beat faster and they took pictures of it. They did this a couple times till my heart beat 145 times a minute ,took a picture and I was done. Very easy

[Eyoung222 6]

2 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

I went for an EKG at the hospital first. It came back slightly irregular,so I was sent to see a cardiologist . All he did was listen to my heart ( 5 minutes) and sent me for a stress test . The stress test was easy - took about 45 minutes. They gave me drugs thru an IV that made my heart beat faster and they took pictures of it. They did this a couple times till my heart beat 145 times a minute ,took a picture and I was done. Very easy

Thank you for replying! I just wanted to be prepared for what to expect! I’m glad they keep us busy these few months prior to surgery! It keeps me motivated and accountable!

[catwoman7 11,216]

at my clinic everyone had to have an EKG (when they just hook some electrodes up to your chest and take readings - it's nothing), and then on top of that, everyone over age 50 (which I was) or had had previous heart issues had to do a nuclear stress test as well. They stick you in a machine, take a bunch of readings, then like the person above said, they inject some kind of drug through your IV that makes your heart beat like you've just been out running, and then they stick you back in the machine and do the readings again. They're measuring how your heart reacts under stress, and how long it takes it to recover. The only weird thing is the way that drug makes you feel. It's a bit weird having your heart beat like crazy when you haven't done any actual exercise. But other than that, it's a pretty easy test.

[Arabesque 7,335]

The ECG is the easiest test. I swear it took longer for me to get undressed than it took for them to place the electrodes & the actual test took seconds. Unless they pick something up in your results or if there’s something in your medical history or your age, you likely won’t need further testing.

[Brandiwine77 55]

I didn't have a cardiac portion from my surgeon, but my primary made me have an EKG. It was in her office, and she said it was slightly irregular, so sent me for a stress test. I had the regular kind where you walked on a treadmill. Easy and didn't take too long. Cardiologist cleared it, and I was good.

[BabySpoons 616]

I had an EKG at the cardiac doctor's office that appeared normal. But because I have a strong family history of heart disease (my brother died at 34 and my dad at 58) I was given additional testing. A Cat scan before and after the stress test to visually see my recovery time and an ultrasound which showed a possible irregularity.

I had to have a heart catherization only to find that everything was fine. I was so very much relieved that I had no blockages which TBH worried me daily because of my weight and family history. I think the doc was even surprised and cleared me for WLS that very day, when it was done. Even the nurse commented on how clear my arteries looked. FTW

I'm counting on my Gastric bypass to be a helpful preventative against future heart problems. Just one of the many reasons I had it done. Hopefully your checkup goes smooth for you OP and that you will only need that EKG

[Tomo 1,193]

Each time I had an EKG. First time, I had to get on a bike and pedal forever. Second time, I had a chemical stress test and the third time, I had a nuclear stress test.

[Eyoung222 6]

Thank you all for your replies! Hopefully it’s just the ekg, and only the ekg I’ll need, but at least I’ll know what to expect in case anything comes back wonky on that! Thanks again!