Ectopics

[kingsnorth]

I have just had a letter asking me to have a blood test to check my kidneys then I’m to have a CT scan with contrast is this something l should be worried about. I know my echo showed ectopics

[bantam12]

The blood test will be to check kidney function before giving you contrast, they don't like using contrast if kidney function is poor. Is it a cardiac CT ?

I have constant ectopics, literally 1000s a day, I'm on Bisoprolol which has helped but doesn't stop them completely.

[kingsnorth in reply to bantam12]

Yes l do have ectopics but don’t know why l have to have a CT scan with dye is that usual procedure

[bantam12 in reply to kingsnorth]

Part of the diagnosis procedure, sounds like your Cardio is on the ball and doing the necessary tests.

[Ally2019 in reply to kingsnorth]

Hi. Yes totally normal procedure

[kingsnorth in reply to bantam12]

Yes it’s a heart scan

[Hidden]

Hi Kingsnorth,

I was found to have ectopics and they followed the same procedure. I had a 24 hour Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, and a CT Scan with Dye.

The CT scan was quick and painless for me.

I went on to have an MRI with dye after that. They are just trying to figure out if they can see a cause for the ectopic beats and would say that it is normal for a patient with your symptoms to have a CT scan, it can give them a lot of information.

On the BHF web site it says it can be used to rule out conditions, here is a link: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[kingsnorth in reply to Hidden]

I had ECG at gp surgery, ultrasound at the hospital and 24 hour holter monitor which showed ectopics l thought l would just be given beta blockers as my cardiologist initially said so this letter was out of the blue.

[kingsnorth in reply to Hidden]

Was just ectopic diagnosed

[Hidden in reply to kingsnorth]

I think they are just being thorough and making sure they have a good picture of your heart health.

[Smileyian]

If you only have ectopics then don't worry if there are no other issues. My ectopics started in my 20's and I am now 77. Still get 😀

[Clurmac in reply to Smileyian]

do you get every day and do you get runs of them?

[Chime62]

Here in the US they don't use dye unless you've already had tests that came back inconclusive or if they're suspicious of something that showed up on another test without dye. After reading the other posters comments, it sounds like they do this more frequently/routinely where you're at so I don't think you should worry. It's not going to do you any good anyway. I question why others are being medicated for ectopics unless they are severe enough to cause serious symptoms. I've personally had them for over 20 years now and have never been medicated. Maybe they just handle things differently where you're at. Could you possibly just call whoever it is that requested the test and ask them why? It would have been nice if they gave you a heads up instead of throwing fear and confusion into you with a letter. I would like to think that if it was anything that serious, they would have contacted you already. They're probably just trying to cover all the bases to be sure the ectopics aren't a "symptom" of something more serious. If they're not and you can live with them, you're good.I wish you luck! Hang in there and take care.

[Enonykasper]

Hi I’m new here

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

And was refered to the royal Brompton as I had

Eptopics

I had all the test and a mri with dye

They found I had

24,900 extra heart beats and they can see where the problem lies

I have lots o scarring on my heart

The doctor said

If I had 500 extra beats he’d leave me alone

If I had 5000 he’d change my medication

If I had 50,000 he would recommend Ablation

As it turned out they gave me a holster monitor a few months later

And found I had a rhythm that contributed towards sudden death

Which is what hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can do and as my dad died aged 53 years old

They have now fitted me with a CRTD (pace maker ,defibrillator)

But they could point exactly to the cause of my eptopics and know where I require Ablation

So it’s good that they are doing all this some people just get pushed along with no answers

Stay safe