Abnormal EKG

shelly1066 · March 9, 2008

With only a few days until my surgery, during my pre-surgical testing I had an issue with my EKG. I had to go for an echo yesterday and Monday Im scheduled for a stress test (one where they inject the dye into my system). The doctor said it wasnt that bad but he will not clear me for surgery until I have the stress test done.

Has anyone else had an abnormal reading and did they cancel your surgery? After everything we have to do to get to this point, Im so afraid that they are going to cancel my surgery!! :lol:

Raymer · March 9, 2008

I have had 2 abnormal EKG. I was sent for the stress echo and the exercise stress test. Both came out fine and the EKG wasn't an issue. As long as they check it out that is all they are concerned about. My surgery is schedueld for 3/19. Just don't get stressed out about the testing or your BP and heart rate could go up. If yours is anything like mine, they take some pictures of your heart before you do anything (resting), then they have you exercise on the treadmill. They slowly increase the speed and grade of the treadmill stopping every so often to run you over to the table to take more pictures. After that they inject you with the dye and take a few more. Takes a couple of hours but it's not too bad. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions. Good luck!

4nefertiti · March 9, 2008

I too had to do the whole battery of cardiac test due to an elevated heart rate. According to my cardiologist, abdominal surgery can stress the heart. My surgeon and cardiologist both said they just want to make sure everything is okay before surgery. Not a good idea to find any surprises during surgery. All my other test results came back fine. The cardiologist decided to put me on a medicine to lower my heart rate slightly. Although the test are time consuming, I'm glad my doctors are thorough.

Good luck to you.

Kristin1031 · March 9, 2008

I had this same issue and believe it or not. The techs do not know how to put the leads on obese people. That is what my surgeon told me. I had to have a nuclear med test on my heart with Thallium. It came out great. My heart is fine. But it is better to be safe than sorry. You do not want cardiac issues on the table.

This all happened to me one week before my surgery. I got all of my tests done and surgery went off as planned.

shortgal · March 9, 2008

Happened to me, too! Abnormal Ekg and I was sent for pet scan. I was so nervous my surgery would be cancelled. Turns out I have a normal "abnormality" if that makes sense. Anyway, surgery went as planned.

drkel · March 9, 2008

It happened to me, too. My dr said that oftentimes in obese women, when we lie down for the EKG our diaphragm pushes upward, and this can cause false readings in an EKG.

I had several EKGs, the echo, and the stress test, and all came back fine. Ultimately, your safety and well-being are all that matter. Just remember what happened to Kenye West's mom when she had her plastic surgery....other plastic surgeons turned her away b/c they thought she had potential heart problems. Another surgeon went ahead and did her surgery, and she died (although the autopsy was inconclusive as to whether she died of heart problems). So, as frustrating as it is, it's for your health, safety, and well-being that they check and double-check. :biggrin2: