First Echocardiogram

[PastaPesto]

Hi

I am due to have my first echocardiogram in a couple of weeks.

Any tips or questions I should definitely ask?

Thanks

[080311]

morning,

I have a yearly echo ( check up on my replacement valve) the only advice is make sure you get the gunk off properly before replacing your bra! You can end up peeling it off when you get home! You have to remove the top half of your clothing so don’t wear a dress. You lie on your side my tech is behind me taking the measurements. I can see a screen with my heart pumping and hear the whooshing noise of the blood flowing through the chambers. After 8 years of echoes it’s quite reassuring to see and hear.

As for questions it’s a technician that will be doing the echo so won’t be able to give you any diagnose, so just general questions maybe, ( if your lucky)

Best wishes Pauline

[PastaPesto in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline

[Qualipop in reply to 080311]

I've never been given answers to any questions at all. The tech who does it can't tell you anything. I was lucky when I had one right after my heart attack when the tech couldn't h elp herself and blurted out, "Ooh that's great, there's next to no damage"

[080311 in reply to Qualipop]

My first 6/7 echoes were done by the same tech and she was very good at just saying “ numbers are looking good “ so didn’t have to wait wondering. The last echo this year a new tech and she just talked all the way through telling me what I was seeing and the noises I could hear, learnt more in that 20 minutes than the other 6/7 tests. So I think I am very lucky to have these people looking after me.

Hope you’re doing okay.

Pauline

[Crystal614]

Hi, I had a repeat echocardiogram done yesterday. It's to monitor my Aortic root plus a couple of other things that was picked up on from my last Echo scan. There was no special preparation. My weight and BP was also checked at the same time. You will obviously strip to the waist. Make sure your gown is open at the front. They will tell you what position to lie in on the couch. Half way through, I then had to lie on my back. There is nothing you can really ask them. Mine was sent onto Cardiologist to do the report. Results should be back within a couple of weeks.

[PastaPesto in reply to Crystal614]

Thanks for replying

[Blearyeyed]

I'd agree about the gunk, they never give you enough paper. I take a damp cloth in a plastic bag now then dry off with the paper.I choose to wear a comfy soft bra, like a sports bra on a test day because you can feel a bit sore afterwards.

[PastaPesto in reply to Blearyeyed]

Gret tip. Thanks

[Anothernewbie in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks for the damp cloth tip. I've got one due soon and will take a damp flannel.

[BTC1997]

In my limited experience, (two of them since August 2024, the first as an inpatient), the radiographer can instigate an outpatient's admission into hospital if the scan reveals something to be significantly wrong, although happily that didn't happen in my case. What she actually said at the end was "I'm happy for you to go home", which came as something of a surprise because I was unaware that there was any possibility that I wouldn't be.

Knowing that now, were I to have another I'd minimally pack toiletries, a phone charger and a couple of other bits and pieces.

I suspect that the time it takes to get results varies across the country, (what doesn't in the NHS?). It's more than four weeks since I had the last one and I was warned that it may be six weeks before I receive a letter.

The letter that I got with the results of the first one referred to it as a TTE not an echocardiogram, which I now understand to be the abbreviation for a transthoracic echocardiogram, but it wasn't clear at the outset. I was told by a cardio rehab nurse that heart function of 50% or above as revealed by the echo is classed as 'good', and there's no higher rating than good.

Finally, if your results are written similarly to the ones I received, don't expect them to make any sense without an explanation from someone in the know:

"Normal LV cavity size and wall thickness with RWMA's noted. LV systolic function is impaired with estimated EF by Simpson's Biplane 57% +/- 5%. Abnormal diastolic function. Normal RV cavity size and function. Borderline dilated LA size. No significant valvular abnormalities noted."

[PastaPesto in reply to BTC1997]

Wow, I wasn't expecting to hear that an admission is possible

[Digger0]

Mine told me that a hole had been found but nothing else, then it went to the MDT meeting for discussion.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi PastaPesto, I've only had one Echo and as soon as the technician had completed the scan she asked if there was anyone with me then said to get dressed and sit in the waiting room as she knew the consultant would want to see me immediately. It was a bit of a shock to be told 'it's serious'. As previously stated, the technician won't be able to tell you anything, you'll need to see the consultant for that. Best wishes for your upcoming Echo.

[PastaPesto in reply to PinkKizzie]

thanks

[PastaPesto in reply to PinkKizzie]

Thanks, I'll think about bringing someone with me just in case

[PinkKizzie in reply to PastaPesto]

I think that would be a good idea.

[Juliestev]

I had my first echo in jan this year at Liverpool heart and chest. I did ask questions and he did give me a bit of information. I learnt that my EF had gone from moderate to mild after my stent and that my right side was working well. So don’t be afraid to ask the questions it’s your body, if they can’t answer they’ll tell you that but it’s worth a try as you wait ages for the consultant to write back. Hope this helps.

[PastaPesto in reply to Juliestev]

As you say, it's my body and I have the right to ask. Thanks

[Madmart54]

Everyone is different but I just went along with it. They will let your doctor know the results so don’t worry.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, PastaPesto,

I have had one echocardiogram—August 2023.

For my test, I was in a reclining position. The first half of the test was completed without an IV. For the second half, an IV was inserted into my arm and a dye/drug was administered.

The echocardiogram was painless—took about 45-50 minutes—and the technician allowed me to view the screen, and she explained some of the things that I was seeing on the screen. That was actually helpful information.

I hope that your testing goes well and that you soon learn what you need to know about your heart functioning. Best wishes! ❤️

[PastaPesto]

Thanks