How long for echocardiogram results?

[Frequentshocker]

Hi there. Any idea how long I should wait for my results my consultant requested for an echocardiogram and wearable monitor? The tests were on 10 May? Its over 7 weeks already so do I assume theres nothing wrong or should I be chasing this up by now? As my ankles are back to swelling up as they did pre CA I'm wondering whats going on with my heart now. Is this length of time normal to wait given current waiting lists?

[Midgeymoo17]

I had mine 27th Feb (maybe) go result last Wednesday.

[Frequentshocker in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Hi Midgeymoo17. Thanks for replying. Gosh thats a long wait! I'm guessing it wasnt urgent in that case! Reading old posts it appears they only contact you within weeks if its urgent and much later otherwise, but 4 months is a very long time to wait! I'm guessing your results were ok and no subsequent treatment required? Id hate to think they were keeping us waiting that long when your condition meant treatment was actually necessary!

[Midgeymoo17 in reply to Frequentshocker]

Yeah no- echo was a routine biannual check and result was more or less as expected. No treatment required. They just waited to tell me in person and due to covid my outpatient appt was really late. I suspect if I had rung and asked the nurses they would have given it me over the phone.

[BernieMB]

Do you have a scheduled appointment with your consultant? If not I would phone your consultants secretary to find out what is going on and/or your GP. There is nothing worse than wondering and waiting.

[Frequentshocker in reply to BernieMB]

Thanks. I agree, its rather worrying that my consultant asked me to come in for the tests then totally ignores me. I have unstable angina that was getting worse so Im guessing thats why she called me in to check, but I didnt know if no news meant good news. It would be good to know to put my mind at rest. The chap doing my echocardiogram said it should be 3-4 weeks, hence not chasing up yet, but now I will contact my cardiologists secretary om Monday to enquire.

[Frequentshocker]

Thank you. Thats shocking to discover so long afterwards. I will definitely chase up my results now! I thought with the GP saying my angina was unstable that there would be something to report one way or another. I certainly dont want to wait months to discover its worse and have more meds if it can be avoided. It seems the consultants are doing so much more private work now their nhs patients are queuing up more all the time.

[Blimeyohriley]

I had my echocardiogram on 7th May to progress to being referred to an EP. My afib has been getting more frequent and more symptomatic while waiting for the results. I asked my doc during yet another afib episode, if I should chase the hospital. This was at the 5 week mark. I’ve been a little concerned as the guy doing the echocardiogram (don’t know what they’re called?) if it all looked ok. This was my 3rd echocardiogram in a year or so. The other 2 were fine. He said there was a slight narrowing of the aortic valve which isn’t unusual in afib sufferers and he would need to do some number crunching for the report to the cardiologist. My doc said he said he wouldn’t chase yet due to covid backlog. Anyway, after an episode last week when I felt quite faint and unwell, the surgery paramedic chased the hospital as I needed a new management plan. I received an electronic appointment letter 2 days later. Coincidence?

I think I’d chase. I’m often too passive then kick myself later.

Good luck.

[Frequentshocker in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Thanks. I hope you get the treatment you need very soon. Its worrying that they wait so long, it is our hearts after all. I was reluctant to chase them due to covid backlog although the chap doing my echocardiogram said its usually 3-4 weeks and Id get a letter for an appointment with my consultant. Just before I got called in my GP had told me off for not getting to A&E during a recent angina attack where it took so many puffs of the spray to calm it. The headache lasted for days so when I had another attack I was reluctant to use my spray, but it was heart v headache decision and in the end it was the only relief. I couldnt move to get downstairs even if Id called for help at that time of night. My GP said I need to plan for if it happens again to call help and get to A&E but (fortunately) it hasnt happened bad enough since! As Id got called in for the tests Id assumed my GP had referred me but it wasn't, it was the cardiac unit. Not sure if theyd picked up something from my heart monitor or whether it was my consultant arranging a routine check, coincidentally. Itll be the first in 6 yrs, usually I just get seen each time I collapse and get taken into hospital following a defibrillator shock but havent had any shocks while resting so much at home in isolation. Seems to be the cure! Sadly though my angina got much worse during this time and the scares I had were enough to make me start getting some exercise by walking a bit daily. Ive gone from 30 mins to over an hour now, just walking at a gentle pace but it has made a good difference already.

I'm concerned now its going to be either angina or icd shocks depending on how active I am but I really need it sorting out before I get back to work. I decided to email my consultants secretary today and if no word soon I will then phone until I do hear something.

[Blimeyohriley]

Well done for the walking! It takes quite a bit of courage and perseverance to ‘get up and go’ when we’re struggling. I’m up to 1 - 1.5 hours most days (I have another illness making exercise difficult). I feel so much better for it.

When I was last in A&E for my afib the cardio nurse (first time I’d seen one) wasn’t impressed I’d gone in. HR was about 100bpm. He asked why I’d attended. I said I’d phoned my doc who told me to and all the other times I’ve attended A&E I’d been told off for not attending sooner (HR from 90 to 160). I didn’t know HR was important, it was all new to me, I was just told to get in if it didn’t stop within an hour. I’ve since tried to educate myself as much as possible - this forum is invaluable - but it can be difficult to know what to do for the best at times. Now I try to wait it out unless I feel dizzy, pain etc. I’m sometimes unsure if I feel lightheaded because I get anxious during an afib episode. 🤷‍♀️

I hope you get your appt soon and it’s not too much hassle chasing. We don’t need that additional stress in our lives…….

[Frequentshocker in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Youre doing well too with your walking! Im lucky I can step out my front door and be in nature so walking seems natural to me! I go slowly and now an elderly friend has got used to my company she knocks on my door if Im not on the corner daily. Its good as I sonetimes feel so drained I dont want to leave the house but she will say come on, just do half today and we go for a short burst. Its done her good too so that really helps us both. Unless Im unbearably draIned or already getting AFs I do try to make it so I dont let her down. Its good to give myself that extra push but if Im already having any palpitations I know its a oush too far. We have seats all the way along part so we can sit under the trees if lacking energy. I've got to know the regular dog walkers now so its become quite a sociable event too. Id say my heart has improved greatly for the regular exercise, although my ankles have taken to swelling like footballs now! It is difficult to know when to go to hospital or not, or whats an emergency or serious before its too late. I didn't think angina was a serious condition to warrant calling for help and was surprised when my dr told me to call 999 if it happens again. Usually if I collapse when out someones called an ambulance by the time Im conscious again and a couple of times at home I've been so shaken by the defibrillator shock Ive called 111 but otherwise I rest and recover ok. I usually get a call then from cardiac unit then to go in for ICD checking. Ive got to know the signs if I push myself too much when too exhausted and since being at home all year I can just lie down when I need to. If sleeping was an Olympic sport I'd get a gold medal every time! I think over time we get to know our own bodies and have to listen to the signs but I agree sometimes its hard to know what to do for the best. I know if I hadnt pushef myself to go out to my meeting when I felt drained I could so easily have had my SCA at home alone and not been here today. Now the same level of pushing myself makes my heart go out of control resulting in a defibrillator shock so I know that pushing myself has its limits. Occasionally it catches me out, sometimes while sleeping so theres always the unknown too.

Thank goodness for this site and everyone for sharing and supporting when its much needed. I found not only have I learned a lot, but I realise now I havent really been able to deal with the mental impact of this life changer. Im so lucky to be alive yet still feel so frustrated that I just can't get back to my active life but its reassuring to hear other peoples experiences.

I dread going out so much again now, but I want to get back to a normal reasonablyactive life again, I hate to think my life is grinding to a complete halt yet. 6 years on and Im still waiting to get better so it will all pass. Does anyone else feel like this too? I really don't want to go this slow for the rest of my life! I have so much I want to do yet, being unfit or having a heart condition just wasn't part of my plan! Its a bit of a shock we are all going through on here, I had hoped I would be back to full fitness and strength well before now. Im curious to know my test results and speak to my consultant asap!

[Retirement65]

That is so bad to wait all that time that’s really not fair on the patient I do hope your getting sorted I’ve got this feeling it could be where people live I went to Blackburn A&e earlier on in the year they were great they booked me to have an echo which I had four weeks later then received my results from my surgery about a week later but I’ve got friends who live in Salford and are struggling to get the tests in the first place really don’t understand it all 😤

[Frequentshocker in reply to Retirement65]

It does seem to be a bit of a postcode lottery. I'm guessing after 19th more face to face appointments will start and the queue will start moving. Fingers crossed! I don't generally get routine appointments, I had to basically stamp my feet and refuse to take any more beta blockers to start with until Id spoken to my consultant. They were draining me and making me live in a constant state of brain fog, piling weight on and that made me feel ill too. I was great when I left the hospital following my cardiac arrests and ICD implant but once the Dr put me on Bisoprolol that was the start of the downhill slide. It was 6 months before I finally got to see my consultant and Ive only seen her once since, as with other cardiologists on duty once admitted to hospital followimg bad falls and ICD shocks. Once another cardiologist finally decided the beta blockers were causing more trouble than they were preveting they changed my meds and touch wood, no shocks or hospital admissions since. My Dr always says my consulrant ahould be answering all my questions, not her! So on occasions I email my consultant and eventually she replies to my Dr and copies me in too. My Dr is ok with me writing direct and sending her a copy so that seems to replace any appointments. She did say she would see me for my echo results though so I have emailed yesterday and will call next week to chase up verbally if I've heard nothing in the meantime. I had a long list of questions but I've seen many responses in here and its confirmed no matter what we all go through, our reaction to treatments are very individual. Its so good to be able to share and gain much more knowledge this way.

Thank you all for your responses, all very much appreciated!

[Blimeyohriley]

How lovely you have company and recognise faces en route. I think all those things help with the constant niggle and worry of poor health. I didn’t plan any of this for my (early) retirement and hope in the next year or so I’m much better 🤞. I’ve been ill with other issues for about 8 years and then along came Afib in 2018. I used to be a bit of a fitness fanatic and miss it terribly.

I live in an historic old market town so can enjoy country walks or just meandering around the old streets. I both enjoy the company of my partner or going alone depending on how my mental health is on any particular day. Sometimes I’m best left in my own head and just get out to blow the cobwebs away. Lol.

At the moment I see my ‘job’ as just getting better. It keeps me focused and I think it’s achievable with the help of the NHS.

Here’s to a fitter, healthier future 🤗

[Frequentshocker in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Hi HarbieIt sounds nice where you are too, it certainly helps to have somewhere attractive to walk around and encourages getting out more. I was concerned about getting bored with the same old route but with a bit of company and meeting people and their dogs its all very friendly and sociable! Its actually kept me going all through lockdown as friends have often come over for walks too. Usually a short walk and a long sit down but its been lovely! I just like being in nature, its so therapeutic and its good for walking alone with your own thoughts too. I've been so tempted to get another dog all year but the worry of being out at work long hours when hopefully better, or collapsing and ending up in hospital means I can't put a pet through that, but if I don't return to work its definitely on the cards. Im already 'borrowing' friends dogs now when they need a dogsitter. I agree it is a job just getting better, theres a very limited amount if energy per day or half day, but I can't afford to take early retirement so needs must. I'm hoping I can get my driving licence consent now its been over a year without shocks! That would certainly help with life and with getting work again. I just wish I could get back to the energy I once had (ok 20 years ago is asking a lot!) but even to feel as I did when I first came out of hospital would do nicely. Is your AFib an effect from your other illness or is it unrelated? I never thought for one minute I had any heart issues before my SCA's, Id always considered myself reasonably healthy and active so its worrying how something like this can suddenly change life and slow it down, just when we want to pack more into it for retirement!

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Frequentshocker]

I do live in a lovely town with countryside on our doorstep. I count myself lucky. I’m also lucky to be in a position to take early retirement. Socialising is good for us isn’t it - you sound like you have a lovely supportive network.

I have complex ptsd from an abusive, neglectful childhood, it eventually led to a chronic freeze response so I permanently hold my ribs rock hard (even in my sleep!). It’s completely subconscious. Some days it’s hard to move. It also means adrenaline is coursing constantly through my veins which I believe led to my afib. It’s probably tiring my poor old ticker out. I’m on the mend with trauma therapy but it’s a slow, intense job!

We’d love a dog but like you, struggle with the thought of not giving it the care it deserves. For now we take in old rescue cat(s) as they’re often overlooked. They bring me lots of joy. One day, like you, we’ll get a dog though 🤗.

Speedy recovery to you, and may you continue enjoying your lovely walks, one day with your companion dog 🙏

[Frequentshocker in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Thank you Harbie. It does sound lovely where you are, we are so lucky to have nature on our doorsteps. You really have been on an incredibly long and intense journey, I'm so pleased it is going in the right direction for you now. We can only go forward but so many past issues often blur all hope and make an impact on us physically. Illnesses in our bodies start to manifest eventually as the emotional side is suppressed and Im sure our hearts can literally 'break' after so much stress and emotional trauma. The brain produces chemical imbalances that show up in our hearts and as you say the adrenalin has such an impact that can tip the balance suddenly. It must be comforting to know you are getting the right help and healing your mind from trauma will have a positive effect on your physical health although the damage already done physically will need healing too and can sometimes have a delatef response. They stll don't know what caused my SCA or exactly where it is, and put it down to a genetic fault but not enough info to follow investigations in that route. Whatever it is my heart had clearly had enough that day. Id gone through a lot of heartbreak and emotional clearing just before my CA and was ready to move on and do new things until it stopped me in my tracks. I now do everything I can mentally to protect my heart as the mind is a powerful thing and can help to self heal too. Do you use meditation to help calm your heart and mind? Im a fan of Buddhist philosophy and that helps so much with trauma and healing. It has got me through a lot in the past and has helped so much since my SCA too. Its a method I apply daily but doesnt have to be done sitting cross legged on the floor either, Id never get up!

I wish you all the best with your healing and your journey too. Feel free to chat any time, its great that we can all supoort each other on here as the trauma of being so near to death and surviving does have its mental imprint too and without very good friends to support me I don't know how Id have got through it all. I will always be eternally grateful for these important friendships.

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Frequentshocker]

I love Buddhist philosophy- it resonates with me greatly. I do meditate but I’m not good at a daily practice. Your CA must’ve been such a shock and I admire your fighting spirit. I do believe the mind and body are intrinsically linked.

I would send you a PM but can’t figure out how or if it’s possible 🤷‍♀️

[Frequentshocker in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Definitely, I agree. I think we are all fighters on here, not simply survivors. Some are already used to it, some new to it all but we are all fighting our way ahead in one way or another.

I dint think it matters so much about being good at meditation as long as you benefit from the calmness. Some days I look at it simply as a calming exercise, other times I can be in a completely other place with it. Either way its good to focus on your breathing, relaxing your tension everywhere in the body and calming the heart and you can do it anywhere too.

[Exie8]

Do you have an appointment pending with your cardiologist? If not I would suggest a phone call to his/her secretary asking nicely when you are likely to get echo result. If you have specialist cardiology nurses it might be worth speaking to them too.

My husband had a follow-up echo at the end of May (almost a year on from major valve surgery and CABG) and had echo report and a face to face appointment with cardiologist 3 weeks later. Thankfully echo showed new valves working well.

No news is generally good news but still worth chasing it up!

Good luck

[Dkhanka in reply to Exie8]

Which valve did he opt. And why was the CABG needed?

[Exie8 in reply to Dkhanka]

Not sure I understand your question.

[Dkhanka in reply to Exie8]

I meant which valve did he go for and was CABG something planned or was needed during the surgery. In my case I had aneurysm removed then there was an injury to the coronary artery and then needed a CABG .

[Exie8 in reply to Dkhanka]

Sorry. Prefer to keep some information private.

[Frequentshocker in reply to Exie8]

Thank you. Thankyou everyone for your support. I emailed and next thing I got a letter from my cardiologist, stating my valves and pumping were good, my heart rate was between 57 and 114 with an average of 82bpm, so in good range over the 24 hrs. My heart did behave well, typically, at the time! She alao mentioned more thickening of the heart muscle but my right side of the heart was ok, no mention of anything else. Obviously no appointment yet again, to ask all the questions I've been wanting to for ages.

My feet and ankles swelled horrendously during the cooler spell we had recently, v unusual. One leg was tingling and having popping sensations so Dr had blood test done. Turns out no problems with heart disease but not good on my kidneys. I've never had any kidney problems before so its being monitored and another blood test next week. Possibly dehydration as my meds cause upset tums so much and had to take extra when required as my heart decided its had enough behaving! So its all good news re my heart in many ways but no chance to ask for more info, plus I'm now in hospital again after a weekend of awful arrhythmias, pounding palpitations waking me up at nights and going into the pre shock tachycardias. Now set off my angina too. Seems to constantly be on verge of ICD shocking but Im self regulating just in time. Its wearing me out! I have a busy week planned, not this! I hope someone might be able to explain somehow during this investigation or should I keep writing in and questioning my cardiologist?

[Dkhanka]

No the results are out within a week. They usually don’t back unless urgent. However you need to call the pa for the cardiologist to get your results . Swelling in ankles needs to be addressed👍🏼

[Frequentshocker in reply to Dkhanka]

Hi, to further update since my cardiogist wrote with part explanation of my echocardiogram and my subsequent hospitalisation, Ive finally got an appointment with my cardiologist in a months time. I still haven't heard anythng from the ICD clinic re the 4 week check up, 6 weeks later but did get the consultants appointment, by phone, and possibly by one of her team if not her. Still, its progress from nothing in 5 years! I just hope they can answer the list of questions I have to ask but I dread telling them Ive had to stop taking the awful meds J was prescribed in hospital. If thats the quality of life I have to maintain just to extend my life Id rather not take them and have a reasonable life no matter how short now. I just feel sad its either/or with no vood solution. Im having to come to terms with the resignation that this is as good as itll ever get now so its taken a lot of getting my head round recently. I don't think I ever thought for one minute Id be like this for 6 years, never mind permanently, and I feel like Im back to reliving the whole SCA experience and trying to make sense of it all. With so much stress Ive given up hope of returning to full time work and driving again, along with all my retirement plans too. I will get back on my feet eventually but this realisation is taking time to process.

Ive seen people on here talk about their cardiac nurses, and getting emotional support. Does anybody know if theres somewhere we can register for support like this?

I had nothing supportive offered after my CA and having my ICD fitted, no cardiac nurse, no cardiac rehab, just a meet up group at the hospital which is too far for me to get to, and the pacing clinic but theyre technicians and can't answer all my questions.

I don't want to go to my Doctor with his as she will suggest anti depressants which I really dont want. She is as frustrated as I am at the lack of response and support from the cardiogist.

[Retirement65]

Absolutely - personally I think you did the right thing too many people are banging this loud drum about back door privatisation without it believe me the NHS would be on its knees! and this is coming from someone who worked in the NHS as fantastic as it is the way I look at it it’s helping not hindering and particularly at the moment with waiting times being what they are our health is precious so I think it’s good you have taken the initiative to seek your health questions answered and you know peace of mind is gold! You take care 😊

[Frequentshocker]

To update since I last posted on here... I had a series of constant palpitations for a few days and put it down to doing too much in the heat but when I relaxed they got worse. I rang my Doctors who advised the same as my doctor had previously, to call 999. As its not really a dire emergency as my defibrillator will shock if it gets v bad, I dont like to call emergency services. When severe palpitations woke me several times in the early hours I got quite worried so a few hours into constant bouts of it I rang 111. They sent paramedics out to check my heart rate and that was it. So erratic they took me straight to A&E, and then transferred to AC Unit. By that time my heart had settled after hours of rest and was back to behaving. ECGs showed the arrhythmias as I'd described over the past few days, and recorded 12 episodes of VFs in the past 4 weeks. Seems my ICD charges up ready but didn't shock as my heart manages to adjust in time so thats a good improvement. The technician decided though that most of my arrhythmias were coming from the atria and said she'd record it as 10 AFs and 2 definite VFs over the month. The cardiologist was ok with that and added Diltiazem hydrochloride, a calcium channel blocker to relieve the AFs more, along with the Quinedine Im on which appears to be successful in preventing shocks caused by the VFs. I've been taking them for over a week now and feel more drained than ever. I feel totally out of sorts and have a constant headache. My digestions all over the place as the Quinedine that loosens everything so easily has now been changed to constipation and a constant thirst with the Diltiazem. I'd had enough yesterday and missed my daily dose, resulting in me feeling far better today. I need to report back to cardiology in one months time but I don't think I can stand these meds til then. I'm supposed to get an appointment with my cardiologist after that but I know she will be annoyed if I don't take these meds. It seems nothing suits me, always some allergy or just drained and unwell. A calcium channel blocker is the last resort, theres not much, if anything, left to try now. I've just felt so down lately as I feel I will never get better and I just want my life back. Does anyone else feel like this, trying meds with no success? I just dont want to feel any worse than I do already. The Quinedines been the best thing so far but the cardiologist is concerned about the longer term effects and risks of so much Fibrillation and insists on curing it as a necessary lifesaver. Obviously Id be happy to go along with his advice if only the meds didn't make me feel so bad. I dread having to tell them so I'm prepared to try these meds for a bit longer knowing my life will evolve around sleeping off the headaches and general malais day and night.At last I got answers to my questions though and my diagnosis, well, as he said, sometimes they just don't know. Its genetic, a combination of familiar defects and sometimes they just have to say the symptoms are the diagnosis! So I'm prone to both Ventricular and atrial fibrillation. Unfortunately I also appear to have allergies or low tolerance to the meds that resolve the problems. I don't know where we go from here, I don't think the cardiologists do either. Is anyone else here on diltiazem?