Echocardiogram

[Welshie50]

Hi all new to the group just a general question why would I be sent for a follow-up echocardiogram when I haven't long had one. 🤔 It will be 3 weeks tomorrow I had one but still haven't had my results 🤔 are they still surposed to let you know results even if everything is normal ?

[BeKind28-]

Hello

There could be a few reasons why they have sent for you again to have one done it could be the first one was not clear enough so they need to do it again or they could have made a mistake asking you to go and have another one done

The best thing you could do is try and give them a ring and query it and hopefully it will be a simple explanation

Let us know how you get on x

[Welshie50 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you so much for replying <3

[BeKind28- in reply to Welshie50]

x

[Welshie50 in reply to BeKind28-]

Finally got my results I've got a bicuspid aortic value and a mild aortic regurgitation I'm currently taking 50mg of losartan <3

[BeKind28- in reply to Welshie50]

Hello

Glad to hear you have finally got your results

How do you feel now you have was it better than you were expecting them to be ?

At least you know now and know what treatment is best for you x

[Welshie50 in reply to BeKind28-]

Yeah they ain't concerned about the leaky value right now. Which is somewhat a relief I guess just got to keep my blood pressure below normal range

[BeKind28- in reply to Welshie50]

Hello

I have a slightly leaking valve they knew when I had my Bypasses but left it alone when I asked the Surgeon she said so many have slightly leaking valves that do not even know they have and in a lot of cases they stay that way they only do something when they get severe otherwise best to leave them alone so if they are not concerned then that is good

I am sure you will manage to keep your BP down and now you know which sometimes helps making us feel better x

[DanniC88]

Perhaps the images were blurry. Maybe the consultant couldn't make it out and would like it to be redone so that its clearer. Just a guess.

[devonian186]

Its worth checking that they realise they have already done the test. Left hand and right hand don't always cooperate.

Most likely explanation is that the images were not clear so they need to try to get a better one.

[sandandkev]

Ring the xray dept and ask as yes maybe not clear, but they don't let you know anything- the results go to your consultant or doctor that ordered it, I asked after my 1st echo and he said he needed to do measurements,so only found out about 2 months later,I'm sure that when radiologists report on it they would flag up anything serious

[Blackknight57]

is the follow-up in a different area to the first. NHS England foundation trusts Don’t talk to each other.

Strictly speaking I’m under Cambridge and Peterborough, my nearest hospital is West Suffolk .

They simply don’t communicate.

Others have already said there maybe a problem with the first .

Have a look in your medical records.

[Classof1988 in reply to Blackknight57]

There also can be a problem between trusts with differences in technology. A few years ago I was under investigation at Basildon and my Cardiologist suggested that if I got an Echocardiogram locally I could probably have the results ready for him to look at in advance of my appointment as the waiting list at Basildon was longer. Having had the Echo in Boston and forwarded the results to Basildon, different software programs meant that Basildon was unable to interpret the data and I had to have an Echo there as well.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Classof1988]

As in Boston lincs?

My gp is in cambs so under cuh and papworth

[Classof1988 in reply to Blackknight57]

Yes.

[Blackknight57 in reply to Classof1988]

Same situation. If you went to kings lynn or Peterborough there would be ghat non communication delay.

[Summertimeflowers]

Hi Just waiting for appointment for Echocardiogram. The one I had 18 months ago results were sent to my Doctor

[HHH2017]

My last echo was 'inconclusive' image not clear enough, so was called for a repeat and by a different member of staff! Had 2nd, minths have passed no results or appt with cardiologist. Still waiting, hopefully 🤞 Good luck with yours.

[Alicant]

just go along ..most people wait a looooooonnnnnggggg time for second one!

[Simba37]

I was called up twice. The admin hadn’t processed the first one and sent me along for another. Just inefficient service. Right hand doesn’t communicate with the left hand.

[Alfie33]

Its called a stress echo you would have next where they put your heart under stress to see how it works

[wardywill in reply to Alfie33]

stress echocardiogram is different,they wire you up and you go on a treadmill at different speeds,to see how your heart reacts under stress

[STEMI_Dave]

Not all echocardiograms are the same. In my case the second one was with tracer to check out something.

Given the delays, I would just go along and welcome the attention.

[Murderfan58]

Same reply as everyone else the imagine may not be clear . It doesn't mean there's anything wrong so don't worry. If when you do get the results and they want you to have a bubble echocardiogram don't worry it's just an extra check . This isn't to frightened you . But my cardiologist sent me for an echo because I had never had one not expecting to find anything. Then he said you need a bubble echo. As usual I never turn down tests. They explained everything that they would do. You have a needle is put into your vein top of your hand with 3 ports. Then using 2 ports the nurse using to syringes pass saline between them to form micro bubbles. The 2 ports are capped and the saline is then emptied into your vein . If they see bubbles there's a hole if no bubbles no hole.

With me nothing is ever straightforward 🤷 and the radiographer said we can see bubbles but not where we expected. So they did the test twice more.

I had to laugh when I saw my cardiologist told me I had a small hole in my heart. I have had 3 major and 2 minor ops with a dicky heart . Later had MRI with dye and the hole is small but the connections between the chambers of my heart are whole and I have a strong heart function. We have flaps round our heart before birth the one between my heart and lungs didn't close. But as I don't get chest pain but do get breathless sometimes it's safer to leave it alone.

Which I am happy about I am on Flecainide and Apixaban and have PAF.

So never worry if tests have to be repeated no point worrying about anything unless you have to. For me it's a waste of energy but that's me . I was born disabled but didn't get diagnosed until I was 63 as it's rare and only because my neurologist having my whole genome genetically tested could it be diagnosed. He has never had a patient with this condition. But I am a member of a group with it so been teaching my neurologist about it.

Have the repeat test and just wait for the results what ever they are if you need help you will get it . 🤗

[BusterMurphy]

I tend to turn up for every appointment that they send me. I'd rather have too many tests than not enough.

Mostly, they know what they are doing.

[Supergranny123]

Apparently they seem to adopt the no news is good news but if they sorted a follow up in 3 weeks it's probable they lost 1st one

[SailorGirlBlues]

Hello! As other people have said, I would give them a call and ask for the results to the first one.

Also, something I only learned recently is that an echo is an estimate of your ejection fraction (your heart's pumping ability). The ultrasound provides images that are interpreted by cardiologists and/or radiologists. Conclusive information on an EF is given in a Cardiac MRI. It provides quantitative results that are not subject to analysis by humans.

This is what I've been told, anyway. Perhaps, someone can confirm.

All best to you on your echo and on life, in general.

[Welshie50]

Echocardiogram results well I've actually had them it's been 8ish weeks bicuspid aortic value with no more than mild aortic regurgitation my aortic value is dilated and measuring 40mm in ascending potion (previously 39mm) as a milmetre would be well within error range