I had my second visit to the cardiologist today, a follow up from my initial one in early July. I was told in April I had heart failure caused by a severely leaking tricuspid valve. Previously, last September, it was discovered I had AF.
At my first visit the cardiologist expressed some reservations about he echocardiogram report as its findings were unusual and his physical examination didn’t bear them out. He wanted to see the images and the plan was he’d get them for today.
Well, he didn’t have them which was disappointing but said he’d see them soon and would phone me about them. He re-examined me and said there was no deterioration and all my BP and heart rate figures are good.
The plan is to phone me in a couple of weeks when he’s seen the echocardiogram images and then he thinks the likely way forward is just to monitor me. It’s unlikely I’d need surgery now. He’s transferring me to his NHS list for the future.
i asked him whether he considers I’m in heart failure and he said no. My stats are good, I’m generally well and my ejection fraction is 57%.
This is a far cry from what I was told back in the Spring.
So, if you’ve had tests and are on a long waiting list to see a specialist, don’t jump to conclusions! Things may not be as scary as you thought.
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Classicfan49
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Yes, that’s why I posted it. It’s subject to the echocardiogram images confirming what he thinks of course. I was worried, my children were worried. . . . Would I pay privately to have an op now or wait for maybe a couple of years for one on the NHS? Which way to jump? The kids were pushing me to spend my savings on private treatment but I was more hesitant. Would I need one of them to move in for a while to care for me? We really mustn’t let our imaginations run away with us.
Human nature makes our imaginations run wild but it is good when you read something like your post as it is a reminder one we need when we get all these thoughts x
That's very positive. Enjoy your improved health. Prayers for you x
Hi, Very good that the Cardiologist went with his gut feeling, rather than go with the report per se.
It's a casing point why people should avoid trying to get some indication from the Echo Technician as to how it went. Wait for the experts as you say.
I wrote about my last Echo a few weeks ago, the Technician had me down for Aortic Regurgitation, however on review my Cardiologist and the Senior Tech saw it otherwise.
Yes, I’m not sure what generates the echo report. The technician? An algorithm? I suspect not a cardiologist. In any case, I’m accepting the version of a cardiologist who’s actually examined my heart rather than look at pictures. Of course, when he sees the pix in a couple of weeks who knows?!
Hi. I had an echo in March and this was followed by a telephone call from a cardiac nurse who told me that I had heart muscle damage and that my ef was 45%. I had an appointment this week with a hf specialist who told me that the ef was an estimate as the echo pictures weren’t clear and there was no mention of damage within the report. All very confusing but it goes to show that people can misinterpret echo reports and that there can be differing opinions between professionals. This has contributed to months of distress on my part. I’m pleased that your stats are good and that you are doing well. Hopefully people who read your post will be alerted to the possibility that things aren’t always as bad as they seem. 😊
Hello thank you for posting that. I had a echocardiogram beginning of July, still waiting to hear the results. I was told I had ectopic beats, I found not much good trying to read up on that as I don't know yet what causes it. As my BP was dropping alot I was told to stop bisiprolol, been taking that after a stent 6 years ago, at first my heart rate was anyhow, now it has settled more I feel better so try not to worry too much. Glad you are doing well and don't need surgery. 🙂
Yes be carful about echo figures. I had an echo back in February and my ef was estimated at 40 to 44 %. Since then have had an mri and this states 51%. So either the medication is helping or it was always 50 %. Of cause we are all concerned but it is all above us when it comes to the technical side. So I have taken the 51% as a positive. And iam happy with that. And I will ask to see if I can improve that score with diet, exercise, possible vitamins? Try to remove stress. It might even help the right side of the heart, damaged goods from birth.
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Wee update from mickmoo
Pacemaker to be fitted 
low ejection fraction at 27
Unable to get my ears pierced until I see my gp
