echo scan

[Readbecgar]

I had an echo scan today referred by doctor as I have shortness of breath, intermittent chest pain and a family history of heart failure. The technician that carried out the ultrasound at end said he will send report to doctors. If there was any issues would it have been highlighted while I was there? I’m worried 😟

[Fanfab1]

hi can only go from my experience - once done the scan is later reviewed / signed off by a doctor / cardiologist responsible for scans before finalised and reported on to you and your doctor (gp/cardiologist) later at an appointment or via letter. I would imagine if there was anything that needs reporting / needs action sooner they will do quicker.

It is difficult to not worry but other than in an angiogram I’ve not had immediate results reported.

One thing I’ve done previously is contact the team who did the scan and ask (if they haven’t said already) how long does it usually take for results report to be ready. They should be able to give you a timescale.

Knowing how long can help manage the wait albiet it could in some cases be a while.

👍

[Readbecgar in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you, that made me feel a little better. Yes I was told could take 3 -7 days but obviously we have Good Friday and bank holiday Monday so prob end next week. But I suppose if anything needs looking at sooner they will contact sooner maybe.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Readbecgar]

They will, distraction in the mean time is key, one day at a time! 👍

[sandandkev]

I had echo and they couldn't say anything either as he had to chart measurements,but was told if anything drastically wrong they would get in touch sooner rather than later,they found a hole in my heart which I wasn't aware of and my consultant told me this

[LSCE]

I was told upto 6 weeks for results but heard after 3 weeks.

[Murderfan58]

Try not to worry. When I was first sent to see my cardiologist he asked if I had ever had an echocardiogram I said no so he said will have one done to be in the safe side . Had a letter from him saying we found something and gave me an appointment for a bubble echocardiogram. But I never bother about any tests they want to do as I know it's for my benefit.

Anyway the micro bubbles where injected then the radiographer said we can see bubbles just not where we expected. And asked if I was ok to do the the test twice more and said yes. Because I did everything they wanted and stayed still they got very clear pictures. Turned out I was born with a hole in my heart. I had to laugh when my cardiologist told me as I have 2 minor ops and 3 major ops all with a dicky heart.

MRI on my heart showed the connections between the chambers of my heart are intact and have strong heart function. It's on the side of my heart between my heart and lungs but it's small. I do get breathless at times especially if it's very hot or cold but no chest pain so safer to leave it . Only found out about the hole in 2020 and had MRI 2021 after I was diagnosed with PAF on Flecainide and Apixaban. I will be 66 end of next month .

I know it's worrying but try not to and know you will get the help you need .

[Blackcatsooty]

however long or however short the timescale one thing is certain. If you have an urgent problem you will hear within a few days. So no news is good news. In my case i had scan lunch time Friday and the consultant rang me at my home on Sunday.

I have now had the AVR op and got my life back.

Since then, my local Hospital has revamped cardiology. I get annual check up scan results within minutes. Fabulous.

Sooty

[Plum53]

Hi I can only say what I was told after mine which was … if anything urgent or serious found that needs urgent attention , then they would fetch cardiologist otherwise the scan is reviewed and a letter with findings is sent to yourself and Gp.

[banny66]

I asked at my echo on Tuesday and she said off the record she couldn't see anything wrong and no ectopic beats during the scan. She was the person who does the report to the doctor.

[Eastwood25]

I was referred for an outpatient echo due to shortness of breath, I was admitted on the spot for 5days and had a very low ejection fraction 19% which was unknown to me, I wouldn’t worry to much as they wouldn’t have let you go home or something was terribly wrong. I had another echo yesterday, the lady gave me a very rough set of reading so they do have an idea but have to work out the measurements etc for a confirmed figure xx

[Qualipop]

I've never had any results given right after an echo. It can take several weeks to get the results but if it's urgent they will contact your GP quicker. Just bear in mind an echo scan only shows the condition of your hearty. It won't show any blockages. I have two 65% blockages that showed up after my heart attack but they didn't need stents. I'm very breathless and wanted to know if they'd got worse. I thought the echo would show that but it doesn't. I'm not on a VERY long wait for a CT scan.