Transthoracic Echocardiogram?

[AmyKG]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anybody has been referred for a Transthoracic Echocardiogram before? Is this just a normal diagnostic test for all SLE patients recently diagnosed or is there possible cause for concern, hence the testing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! x

[scscsc]

Hi AmyKG

Have you had any particular cardiac symptoms? Palpitations or chest pain? It's likely your dr is just being thorough and may want to rule out any heart problems in case of Meds they might want to give you.

They should explain what they are doing it for though.

Luckily the test itself is painless.

[Gillymcgilly in reply to scscsc]

Hi Amy my son has also been referred for a TOEs his is to rule out any other cardiac abnormality

Before he has a heart defect repaired. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

If at anytime you don't understand what the doctors are saying or doing you must ask questions in order for you to be giving informed consent.

Good luck.

[AmyKG in reply to Gillymcgilly]

Thanks Gillymcgilly, I will definitely ask at my next appointment. There's always so much to ask as it's all new to me but I couldn't find much info relating the scan to lupus online. Thanks for your advice x

[Gillymcgilly in reply to Gillymcgilly]

That's ok Amy best of luck xx

[AmyKG in reply to scscsc]

Thanks scscsc. I was admitted to A&E last year with severe chest pains but they never found the cause. Maybe it is just precautionary. I will ask them at my next appointment. Thanks for your advice x

[whisperit]

As others have said, it's simply an ultrasound of your chest. It's usually to look at your heart, but might be to look at your lungs.

It was one of the first investigations I had, since I had both shortness of breath and a fast heartbeat. I would not be concerned; it's a very commonly used test, and since you are still at a very early stage of diagnosis (and young), I imagine they are wanting to be really thorough in assessing you.

Bonus - it doesn't take long, doesn't hurt a bit, and you can talk to the technician as s/he does it !

x

[AmyKG in reply to whisperit]

Thanks whisperit, I haven't had any shortness of breath but I've had problems with high heart rate and chest pains before my lupus diagnosis. I guess it's probably just for diagnostic purposes like you said, thanks for the support. I'll let you know how it goes x