Echocardiogram

[fairgo45]

I had an echocardiogram last October and have had another one recently. I got a letter from my cardiologist with a copy of the results saying it was ok but he gave virtually no information about the progression of my heart failure and permanent afib.

I took a photo of both echo results and uploaded them to Chatgbt well I was amazed that it returned in depth results of both echos even comparing the 2023 with this year's and telling me what differences a year had made.

So I thought I'd share this with you as you can upload ecgs as well.

you can download chatgbt free from play store very interesting.

[BenHall1]

Hiya Fairgo, did you do this onto a Android smartphone or tablet or onto a PC ??

Thanks,

John

[fairgo45 in reply to BenHall1]

Mines an Android Galaxy A24

[Buffafly]

Wow, two echos in 12 months! My cardiologist very reluctantly ordered one after a blip in May (just had it!) but I can’t remember when I had the previous one. However I see you are in New Zealand…..anyway, hope the comparison didn’t show bad news? Best wishes x

[fairgo45 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks echocardiograms are important with all the heart problems, afib starting 20 years ago despite 3 ablations couldn't get rid of it then a year ago heart failure caused by afib was put on Jardiance and the echo showed it has improved a lot so I'll keep on taking the tablets.If you try chatGBT let me know how you get on

[secondtry]

I don't know how often and why echocardiograms are needed, is there a norm for those with history?

I have been free of AF and echos for a decade but this year AF started, my cardiologist reviewed the 48hr monitor and suggested maybe a chat with his colleague EP about an ablation. His referral letter said 'hasn't had an echo for some time maybe needs one'.

[fairgo45]

In my experience your never free of afib completely it leads to much more complicated problems. Regular echocardiograms can help detect heart valve issues or distolic disfunction eg HFpEF it helps your cardiologist to adjust meds and can monitor how well your heart is coping with Afib

It picks up changes in the hearts structure such as enlarged left atriam or thickening of the heart muscle which can be progressive.

I speak from experience 3 ablations and Afib still got worse it lead 18 months ago to heart failure the echos picked the heart failure up and now jardiance is the drug that's helping me.

6 monthly echos or at least yearly echos is my choice

Good luck with your ablation it's definitely worth having at least one