PreOp Tests - EKG question/concern

tai68 · May 16, 2008

I went today to have some of the lab tests done necessary for pre-op. While getting the EKG done, the technician asked me if I had ever had a heart attack? When I responded "no", she asked me if I have been experiencing any pain in my heart. Again, I responded "no".

Because she is the technician she isn't allowed to explain the results of the EKG...but her questions and tone made me feel very anxious.

She ended with a statement of "hopefully its nothing to worry about" and then left the room.

Aside from being 80+ lbs overweight, I have been relatively healthy. No high blood pressure, no high cholesterol...I exercise 4-6 days/week and do weight training. The idea that there is a problem with my heart has never entered my mind!!!

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if an abnormal EKG will keep me from moving forward with my surgery date? I'm scheduled for June 30th and everything has been smooth sailing up until the point.

I'd appreciate any feedback or insight. Thanks ~ Tai in Long Beach, CA

holly11 · May 16, 2008

Something like that happened to me and it turned out that the girl who was doing the EKG had placed some of the "stickies" in the wrong place. I was called in to do another one and that one turned out ok. I am sure everything is fine. Please keep us posted but I am sure everything will be fine. Good luck on your surgery!!!

newimage · May 16, 2008

Tai68,

My EKG came up abnormal and I had to go to a cardiologist. It's standard procedure. Once the cardiologist looked at my results, he asked what was I doing there. He told me that technicians tend to read the results a little backwards.

Don't worry, wait until the results come in. Good Luck!!!

Long2BFree · May 16, 2008

I had my EKG done this week and the nurse told me to wait while she had the doctor go read it. He said everything was normal. I do have to go to a cardiologist next week for an echocardiogram because I took Phen-Fen in the 90's.