echocardiogram

[Magmagrose]

had my first echocardiogram today after having an nstemi with 2 stents fitted in April no results given which has given me very bad anxiety and told I should hear within 6 to 8 weeks is this normal ? In other people’s experience ? 😊

[Blearyeyed]

It's absolutely normal not to get your Echocardiogram results straight away , they need checking by the cardiologist etc. for decisions.I basically, took the words of the tech as a reassurance, nothing needs immediate attention if I send you home to wait, and no news is usually good news.

I know it's hard but try not to worry too much , if you feel anxious try and distract your mind doing something you love instead.

Take care , and wishing you the best of news with your results, Bee

[Magmagrose in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thankyou so much for reply I thought the same thing surely they wouldn’t send you home if something was noticeable my mind loves to tell me something else 😃 xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Magmagrose]

I know exactly what you mean , and felt exactly the same first time too.

[Magmagrose in reply to Blearyeyed]

it’s so nice to know that your not the only one feeling that way at that’s in completely normal sometimes think I am going out of my mind xx

[Blearyeyed in reply to Magmagrose]

Either we are all normal or we are all going out of our minds , but everyone feels the same as you . It's all new and a bit scary no matter how strong you are as a person , whenever you need a bit of reassurance just post here someone will always help you feel better again. Hugs, Bee

[RufusScamp]

The technician takes the readings, but a cardiologist has to review and interpret them. I have had several echoscans, and it was always a couple of weeks before I heard the results.

[Magmagrose in reply to RufusScamp]

Thankyou for your reply 😊

[10gingercats]

It seems to depend on which hospital you are using. Even then result times may differ. I have often had an echo before my check up and on the same day.Then the cardio. goes through the results with me. Then on another occasion i have been seen by cardio. and been called in for echo . a couple weeks later and get a paper letter through the mail with the results....presdumeably after the cardio. has had a look...signed by her and commented .Never had to wait 6 weeks for a result but clearly it happens. And then once in A and E I was trundled over to get an echo. and then sent up to AAU where i was seen by a cardio some hours later and given the result.

[Yumz199725]

Aw yeah I always have to wait months before I get my results through the post and the anxiety of waiting dosent help. I can now see it on my NHS app now which helps x

[Magmagrose in reply to Yumz199725]

Thankyou it’s so scary especially when it’s been panick for 3 months so the wait is finally over for it all to start again 🥲x

[Yumz199725 in reply to Magmagrose]

Aw I know, I actually have an echo coming up on 24th so I will have the usual anxiety waiting for the results! 😔x

[Magmagrose]

thanks everyone for replying I am a very anxious person before my HA so now everything is 10 times worse I am trying to get back to myself but anxiety’s seem to be getting the best of me at the minute 🥲

[Tos92]

That sounds like the standard wait time for results in the U.K. Usually, if it’s urgent, they will tell you and you hear back within a week or so.

Fingers crossed the results will be okay. Try not to panic too much in the meantime.

All the best.

Tos

[Cee-Cee1]

This sounds completely normal, Magma - your scan results will be forwarded to your cardiologist to review and then you'll receive a letter, usually from your GP. The radiologist technician who takes the scan wouldn't be in a position to fully evaluate them. I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry, I don't imagine they'd have sent you home if they'd spotted anything untoward. The only time I ever had my scan results immediately was when I went for my six-week assessment after a bypass op. I'd an ECG on one floor of the hospital, followed by an x-ray on a different floor, then trundled off to see the cardiologist on a different floor who had been sent my results immediately after via email. I was just knackered from trying to find the different rooms in the huge hospital! 😂 Carol

[Drof]

Hi, they say no news is good news but that wasnt my case am afraid. I waited nearly 4 weeks thinking everything must be ok, only to get a letter saying i have heart failure and afib which hit me hard. I hope your results land in your favour god bless and good luck.

[Magmagrose in reply to Drof]

so sorry to hear this hope your doing ok sending hugs and 🙏🏻 xx

[Kimbob11356]

Had mine done just over two weeks ago they said results up to 6 weeks got mine yesterday.

[Samazeuilh2]

Yes, it’s normal. The results have to be interpreted by a doctor. The 6-8 weeks seems longer than usual probably because of the current situation in the NHS. If you speak to the cardiac nurses at the hospital they might-I stress *might*- give you some very basic information on how the test went, for example ruling out some of the less desirable outcomes. I have done this a couple of times.

[momander]

Hi,I'm so sorry this has happened to you!! I've never heard of anyone having to wait as long as this? I have had several and each time I got my results right away!! Could you try phoning the hospital to ask? It's worth a try? Or your GP. These are live scans and are usually emailed straight to the consultant the same day!! I do hope you get your results quickly. Good luck.

[Qualipop]

I don't think I ever got mine; I had to ask for them but my echo early this year was ordered by my GP and they never let you know if results are fine. I'd just assume no news is good news and maybe ring the consultant's secretary to see if they have them yet.

[ChrisDP61]

Hi Magmagrose, I believe an echo cardiogram is different to an electro cardiogaram ECG. It seems some of the posts may be talking about electro cardiograms rather that echo cardiograms. I had to wait longer for an echo cardiogram result than an electro cardiogram result.

An electro cardiogram ECG detects abnormalities in the electrical impulses of the heart, whereas an echo cardiogram uses ultrasound to check for anomalies in the heart's structure. Both need to be fully reviewed by a cardiologist, which can take time.

I think it's it may be worth considering how you are feeling physically and using that as a guide. I am keeping an eye on my heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol level, via my GP.

Are you able to keep in touch with your GP?

[marypw]

At my hospital, the people doing the scans aren’t allowed to give patients the results, because they need to be compared to previous ones and need interpretation by a medic.

I waited about 4 months for my last results because they’re so busy! You can chase it up with the Cardiology Secretary.

[Hidden]

When you say that it has given you anxiety did you suffer with it before? because something happening like this can make most of us worry but not to the extent of anxiety.

If you are a sufferer of this horrible illness { me and many others included } then I think you should contact your Dr and see if they can help with your results from your Cardiology dept as waiting so long will make matters worse for you.

I really feel for you, thank God it is something that is being recognised more, but it may need a push from your end .

We are here to help in anyway we can

[Magmagrose in reply to Hidden]

hi daisy thanks for your reply yes I am on medication for anxiety before my HA but came off them as I was having panick attacks really bad and it wasn’t helping my heart anxiety when I was panicking I was constantly thinking it was heart related 🥲 xx

[Hidden in reply to Magmagrose]

Then please give your Dr's a ring and explain the situation to them, well done for finding the strength to go for the scan, it must have been hard for you.

As your journey continues make sure that every dept you visit has it on your notes, they are not so dismissive of it as they used to be.

I know that many nurses and specialists are trained to deal with us better now.

BUT they do need to know.

Thinking of you

[Magmagrose]

Thankyou so much your words really mean a lot I feel like I am terrified of everything at the minute but I am doing really well at rehab loosing weight and also stopped smoking 20-30 a day for 30 years to nothing so I am trying my best xx