Echocardiographer, or cardiac ultrasound. Have you had one?

**lovbyts** · 03-15-2012, 02:55 AM

I just had one today.
I had to get clearance for the upcoming surgery for my shoulder. I had a EKG done a couple weeks ago and they said something was different (whatever that means) from the last EKG 6 years ago.

Today they did an ultrasound then I had to do the treadmill and immediately after another Ultrasound. The only problem was they thought the treadmill should take 7 minutes max to get my heartbeat up to the 147 range but it took 12 minutes and 2 more increases in speed and elevation. lol In the end they said all looks Good, no anomalies, no blockage, no irregularities. The only thing wa my blood pressure was a little high. Normally after work (12 hr shift) if I get it tested it's around 140 / 90. Today it was 161/104, just a little high, not sure why. After all the test though they were not to concerned. I will get the final report in a week or so from the cardiologist.

Honestly after reading on this a little and doing it I think it's something anyone over 40 should have done. It would help catch a lot of pre heart attach victims since it shows the heart valves working and how the heart works under stress.

**lovbyts** · 03-18-2012, 02:00 AM

Really no one has had this done?

**sirupate** · 04-11-2012, 09:31 AM

Had heart cath. and several stress tests, several MUGA scans, but not that. My only advice to older guys is if the doctor wants to do something like this...don't bother worrying until he or the cardiologist tell you it is time to worry. Most of the time they don't catch anything unless you are already having chest pain at exertion.

**swol_je** · 04-11-2012, 09:59 AM

I work in cardiology. I perform those graded exercises test everyday. I wish u had a copy of ur EKG. I could read it for you. A lot of people do have irregular heart rhythms so it's no big deal. If ur echo was good, chances are your fine.

**rdcrdrvr** · 04-11-2012, 10:54 AM

I've had the two you mentioned and a few more- tilt table, MRI, Holter Test. I had a regular stress test and then followed by a nuclear stress test because they found an "anomaly in the baseline". My experience was like yours in that it took a little longer to get the heart rate up. It's strange being the one of the younger and in better shape at the cardiologist; real motivation to stay active as long as possible.