When you get a stress echocardiogram does the cardiologist let you know the results there and then

[theclark]

Stress echocardiogram

[Hidden]

Mine did, I was in hospital at the time after suffering chest pains.They did a stress test, within an hour the consultant came to see me, discussed the results and discharged me.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I got my results straight away

[Pete1]

Got mine around 4-weeks later!

[Buzzy-Beans]

If you were living in France then like with all procedures of this nature, you would be seeing a consultant within 10 to 15 mins. of the scan who would then discuss at length what the images show........... I know because I used to live there and always received this level and speed of service.

But we are in the UK and unless going privately we are mostly NHS patients and sadly the answer is no, for some unknown reason the results and prognosis take far, far too long to get to you which does nothing for your levels of stress!

Some 11 days ago I had an MRI stress scan during which the scan had to be stopped twice because my blood oxygen levels were very low, when can I expect to have a result of the scan, heaven knows when!!

[timetabler in reply to Buzzy-Beans]

I am in France at present, and have recently seen 5 cardiologues, none of whom was willing to discuss what they found, though one did give me a written report of the echograph stress test (with no explanation) the same day.In each case they spoke rapid technical French, behind a mask, and wouldn't allow anyone else to attend.

I got much better help & explanation on-line with an English cardiologist.

[Buzzy-Beans in reply to timetabler]

My very first experience of A&E service in France was at Brive where every single person offered to speak to me in English, which I didn't need until it became too technical.My second experience was at Limoges where yet again everyone wanted to speak to me in English. These were both at general hospitals and not private clinics where so many surgical procedures are carried out and of those clinics I had surgery all 3 of them were out of the very highest top drawer, most especially when it came to food where wine was served with lunch and dinner!!

[Dralex]

Got mine in the post the next day, my consultant had dictated and sent the letter immediately after my stress echocardiagram. Maybe I was just lucky!

[Sunnie2day]

The answer is pretty much the same no matter what type echo you have, stress or 'regular'. Even if your cardiologist is in the room you may not hear the full results for days - your consultant wants time to really look and hear what is on the scan. When my stress echo was done my cardiologist was there and sat me down immediately after but not everyone has the same experience.

When you hear the results depends on the tech doing the scan - if he/she sees/hears something 'unusual' they will go consult the on-duty cardiologist who will decide on the spot if it warrants immediate admission to hospital or if you can go home to await a letter announcing an 'urgent appointment' with your GP or cardiologist.

Usually, though, what happens is the tech hands you a box of tissues and tells you can go - meaning he/she didn't see anything urgent and you're safe to go home to wait for a letter advising the results or a booked appointment to discuss the non-urgent results.

Hope that makes sense, I'm in an acute flare of recurrent pericarditis and a bit 'foggy' today.

ETA: when I write 'hear' - the scan will include the sounds of your heart and arteries working - if you've not have the scan yet, try to remember to ask them to 'open the audio' so you can hear as well as see (usually you can see the monitor during the scan, if the monitor is turned away, ask for it to be visible to you, it's fascinating to see and hear the scan as it progresses).

[theclark]

Ty everyone for all your replies