H, I had an echocardiogram on Friday and was told by the 'scanner' that she would have a report typed up and my doc will have it within a week. However, when my doc booked me in for the echocardigram, he told me that the results take 3-4 weeks if normal. So do you think the scanner thinks there is a problem? And if you have had an echocardigram, when did you get your results back if they showed a problem? Thanks.
I am still waiting for a diagnosis and would rather a diagnosis was made asap so I can strat receiving treatment. I feel awful at the moment!
How long's a piece of string? Sorry, but it can take ages to get the results back. Depends on when the doctors get around to writing all their letters, what shifts they're on and which hospitals they're working in on any particular week. My advice would be to phone the consultant's secretary a couple of weeks after your echo. They are usually really helpful and can tell you what's happening, although they won't tell you the results. Best wishes.
The scanner said the results will be with my doctor within a week. I asked this question because my doc told me tresults usually take 3-4 weeks to reach him if normal.
Hmmm - not that heard that one before, but do chase it up via the secretary. Waiting for results and decisions is horrible, So I hope you get answers soon.
Hi I have regular echos as I have a metal heart valve and I’d say 80% of the time my results are back within 2 weeks all depends how busy my cardiologist is as he will be the one looking and sending the results to my GP, so that’s 3 people before me like Mary said “how long is a piece of string” (not being rude) normally if I haven’t heard anything after 2weeks I call and more often then not they are back, try not to stress yourself.
You can;t tell how long it will take to get your results back - one echo results were back within a week. The technician told me they were fairly up to date and it would be quicker than normal. Equally I was told only last week that the echo I had done in May 2018 was fine. Now that was a wait of eight mmonths..... don;t think you can read anything into it. However when things were really bad The results were back within an hour..... It;s how busy the technicians are and if they have the time to write up.... as one told me if you;re scanning you can;t be writing....
The doc will HAVE my results within a week I was told - so I am not asking how long it take to get them back! My question is - as the results are going to be delivered alot faster than what my doc said, do you think the scanner saw a problem?
Perhaps but it is more likely the technician is up to date with the work and can turn it around within the week. I once had an echo on a Saturday morning and was told by the technician that the backlog was so great that they were working an extra day in the week to make a dent in it. It;s a very fast return if there is a problem - hours rather than days. I believe trying to get results back to doctors within a week is what the depts aim for. Unfortunately demand is so great usually it takes much longer.
Try not to read the scanner's comments into your results, although I know this is difficult when you are waiting for important results like these. Like you say, if there is a problem, a quick diagnosis and start of treatment is the best option, so even if you do hear from your doctor earlier than expected, continue to be positive.
I had an echo last week, and was waiting to meet the Cardiologist when the technician called the Dr into her room. I strained to understand their mumbled conversation and convinced myself that the news must be bad - why else was the doctor called for? when I met with him, the Cardiologist told me that my EF had risen from 15% to 35%!
I think a lot depends on the questions asked to the technician. I do believe that Echocardiograms can be used for different reasons some look at structure and others at the function !! or a combination of both. I had one in Hospital and the consultant had the results a couple of hours later when he did his rounds. So I think as others have said a lot depends on the workload and the questions asked i.e. Routine or Urgent etc. Try not to worry if it was Urgent and they needed more information you would have been booked in for an MRI
On my recent one ( echo ) last week I asked what my Ejection Fraction was and the technician said he couldn't tell as the images weren't clear. So I have another one booked for mid February and I see the Cardiologist on the 22nd who wants the results for when I see him, so that's around 2 weeks .
Give it a week then phone your doctor to see if they have it. If they do, make an appointment. There is no use in you reading warning messages into comments made by anyone. Try to relax.
I have to have regular echo scans as am undertaking Chemotherapy/hormone treatment for breast cancer after undergoing AVR and CABG in May last year. Usually they go straight to the Cardiologist and I ask for copies to compare with previous ones after about a week. But last week I was asked to wait while the technician compiled the report for me to take to my Oncologist. I had scan done at another hospital and apparently they’re not on the same system!!!! Strange in this day and age. Anyway I therefore had the results same day, photocopied them and handed in on my next chemo appointment.
Whenever I have had echocardiograms of which I've had many. I've usually had an appointment to see the consultant within about 2 weeks.
The images are available instantaneously the technician will type up reports to attach to the images after u leave the room (they cannot wait and do in a weeks time they would forget measurements etc!!)
As someone else mentioned it may take a week or two for the consultants to get chance to look at the results.
Probably depends from trust to trust. Hospital to hospital.
It boils down to who you believe - the technician or the doctor? Its also a bit different asking when the technician might have the results (ie the scan completed and ready for inspection) to a doctor being ready, able and willing to interpret the results. You are putting yourself through unnecessary purgatory and concern, which will not do your heart any good what so ever. Lets face it, you said yourself they are not due till Friday (per technician) so as previously advised, ring your doctor in two weeks. To be quite frank, had there been something really urgent the matter, you would have been dealt with sooner.
I had one last Monday, and they got a doctor down and admitted me, so I wouldn't worry too much. At least if there is a problem you will get treatment sooner.
Hi TcupT. I had an echo done last Monday. By Tuesday it was all typed up and on the system where my heart failure nurse could read it. And that was good news! I think the docs say 3-4 weeks in case there are delays somewhere down the line, not for any sinister reason. If it was bad news, it would be flagged up and your doc would contact you asap.
Don't get into a panic about it, just let the cogs of the NHS run their (usually efficient) course. All the best xx
I'd personally call your docs reception and ask if results are back and then, you can book an appointment with him.
I had a cancer scare before Christmas which resulted in blood tests and scans. I was told by my GP that results would be back in 4 weeks!
I rang just after Christmas and the results were back (good news)!
I think what I'm saying is, please don't worry. Docs would rather err on the side of caution so you don't expect too much from an over worked NHS system.
I had my echocardiogram done on October 24th last year and I just got the results back this week. My understanding is that it depends more on how many other echoes are there waiting for the cardiologist to go through.I am in a big city so it took a long time. If you are somewhere less populated and they are up to date with all their patients you could get it back quicker. I would advise to just take it easy, don't worry about it now. Whatever it is, it just is, your worrying and speculating won't change that. Instead, focus on finding out ways you can make lifestyle changes that will help heal your heart in case you do have a problem. Being proactive will help ease your anxiety.
Hi, I had an echocardiogram in November and wasn’t getting my results until feb, but I ended up seeing the consultant strait after my scan as they found out I had Dialated cardiomyopathy, AF and was in heart failure, so hopefully they haven’t found anything on you, or nothing to serious anyway. Good luck, hope they don’t keep you waiting to long 😏
I know exactly how you feel awaiting the result. Your GP is probably correct it can take 3 weeks or so to get results. Think of it this way, I know if it was considered top urgent the results would be sent PDQ, so try not to worry. Having had several Echoes both pre op and post op you finally get a bit more relaxed. Just try to relax about it so you are not stressing yourself, or as Mary said phone the Consultant's secretary -they are very helpful normally.
Hi there, I’m sorry to hear you are feeling bad - worrying about your results isn’t helping you feel any better.
I was promised the same , results would be in within the week, and I would be called in to discuss the results with the Consultant/Registrar. In my case 3 weeks later and I had heard nothing, so I contacted my GP to see if they had heard anything and got a call back from the receptionist to say ‘No further action required’ and that was that - left high and dry. It seems to vary from one patient to another - perhaps if you have a word with your GP and see if they can chase it up hit you, all the very best c
I Am SURE If There Is Something Seriously Wrong You'd Been Called In By Now. Because The Person Who Gave You The Echocardigram Already "Knows" What They Are Looking At When They Do The Procedure. If They Notice A "Serious Problem" During A Procedure They MUST Notify A Doctor Immediately.....
I have had two of those, never got to find out what the results were. If there is something serious they get in touch. I have another one due in Feb. to check for any heart damage from a high trepon. score. I would not get worries about that test.
I have had two echocardiograms in the last six months. The first one was in July and I did not get the results till the end of August. This was a routine 3 yearly scan to check on my ICD. It was performed by a technician. The Results of this one was bad as I am now in heart failure with an EF of 30. After changes in diet and medication, I had a follow up appointment with my cardiologist last week. The day before I had another echocardiogram this time done by a radiologist. My cardiologist had the results the next day with the good news that my EF is now 45 and my BNP had reduced to half the value if was in September. So the simple answer it is who does it and who review and write the report. I do not think it is what the technician thinks is wrong. I hope that you get positive news.
When I had my echocardiogram I was asking the technecian all sorts of questions as we went along, you are allowed to do this, I find it helps settle me when I ask, obviously they can only tell you face value details, if you were in major trouble you wouldn’t have left the hospital, so don’t stress, it won’t help your condition
I asked the radiographer how long it would take for my GP to get the report. As it looked like it could potentially be a couple of weeks and as he was about to type up the report I asked if I could take it to the GP myself. I was given a copy to take. As this is information about me its within my right to request a copy. I dropped the report off with at my GP on the way home. The clinic will still send the report. As all the info is electronic I don't understand the delays to be honest.
I had and echo in December and the scanner was able to tell me there and then that I had suffered a heart attack (silent) and to phone my doctor in the morning who confirmed it, subsequently been put on medication for LVSD I’m now awaiting an appointment for an MRI scan on the cardiologists request
hi I know this was a long time ago but may I ask if your results were all clear as I was given the same advice, and a week later I got a letter asking me book in a routine gp appointment with the gp who requested my echo scan so assume something is abnormal… hoping yours was ok 💕
I have had multiple echoes since being diagnosed with DCM just over a year ago. In most cases, the results have taken about 5 weeks or so. The only exception, being the very first one. On that occasion, the operator told me my heart was really bad and I needed to go straight to A&E.
I did as I was told but had to explain that I was already booked in to see the consultant for an Angiogram the next morning (this was about 7 in the evening) so they did some quick obs and told me to come back for my appointment the next day.
Basically, if it's a concern, you'll know about it very quickly. If you don't hear, then there's nothing to worry about.
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