Appointment

[Timpsonboy]

Ok I have received notice of my first appointment and im due to have a echocardiogram and be fitted with a portable unit for 24 hours on Sept 23rd.Feeling a worried now .Please tell me this is routine procedure.

[Finvola]

Perfectly normal procedures to establish your heart's functioning and detect any activity that needs to be considered. Don't worry at all - we probably have all started that way - if we had a good cardiologist, that is.

[Rellim296]

I think you should have been worried if you were not getting these tests. They are both useful indicators of how well your heart is working, exactly as Finvola says.

[pottypete1]

In my experience this is routine and these procedures are among the least stressful or intrusive.

With an echo they just put gel on you and run the probe over your chest.

The recorder is attached to you and you are monitored for a day. In fact I had one on for two days.

Showers are out just for one day.

Hope this reply helps.

Pete

[BobD Volunteer]

Of course it is. It is necessary for the cardiologist to be able to see how the mechanical part of your heart is working and the monitor is just to see your rhythm. These are basic checks which should be carried out before any treatment.

[PeterWh]

In essence the echo is similar the the scan a pregnant woman has (except it's higher up for the heart)!!!! As for the monitor its just some sticky patches on your skin and a wire that comes out of a little measuring box is stuck on to each patch.

With all things and about AF itself look at the leaflets on the main AFA website.

[gwyn53]

I like you got really worried. But asked for advice here.

Great advice as always.

Had echo done. No worries

Easy

Normal procedure. Felt nothing. In and out in half hour.

Results took time simply because i had to wait for them to be seng to my dr. But alls well no problem

Take care. Dont worry

[Gertsen]

Yes, very normal, I had one fitted for a week.

[Elaine1951]

Totally routine. Pay privately to see a cardiologist if there is delay

[seasider18 in reply to Elaine1951]

Echocardiograms are quite expensive.

[FyldeWhite]

The worst bit is removing the sticky residue left by the pads.

[398emb in reply to FyldeWhite]

Buy some "Sticky Stuff Remover"! That's what it is really called! It removes all sorts of adhesives from all kinds of delicate surfaces, like skin, or paper, and it is effective but gentle. I use it to help remove sticky labels from books too, and it does not effect the book/bookjacket.