Cardio visit?

I have this scheduled and I was hoping someone could tell me about this about.  What goes on? Thanks a bunch! Erica

Hi Erica,

I'm not sure what they're having you go for, but I had to go to the cardiologist before my surgery for a stress test because I had an abnormal EKG. When I went there they put some stuff in me via an IV and it made me feel really weird. My heart raced, my muscles all got extremely heavy. Then I had to have a scan done where I laid down on a table for about 20 min. They had done a scan before I got the stuff in the IV as well to compare. That was about it. Nothing terrible. Everything was fine, however the results were no longer valid for me because it took too long to get my surgery after this stress test. Luckily the next EKG I had was normal so I didn't have to go through that again. Good luck!

I don't have to have an EKG.  I am not even sure what that is.  But I know that the nurse practitioner said that because of my weight, she just wanted to make sure my heart was "ok".  She said she really wasn't too concerned, but wanted to stay on the safe side.

Hmm. The EKG just makes sure your heart is OK and it's a lot less involved than the stress test. Maybe that's all the cardiologist will do? I don't know. If so, that's super easy. You just lay down on the exam table and the put some little sensors on you and take a reading for like a minute and then you're done! Either way, it's not too much of a big deal, and it's good that they are watching out for you.

Oh!  OK!  MAybe I am having an EKG done.     I may sound naive when it comes to all this medical stuff, but I have never dealt with any of this.  Sonds simple enough though!  Thanks a bunch.  :)

A year ago January, I had an EKG (I think that is what it was called) as I was trying to get approved for WLS.  It was pretty simple: I changed into a gown, no bra, and then I got up on a table.  They had me hooked up to some censors, which was connected to a machine, there was just one tech in the room.  They put some goop on my chest and then took some kind of a thing (like what is used when you have an ultrasound) and moved it over my chest where my heart was and on the side to.  It didn't hurt, there wasn't much pressure or anything.  In fact, it was kind of interesting, I got to watch the monitor and the tech explained some of what he was seeing. Unfortunately, it's been over a year, so I imagine I'll have to do it all over again.  I wouldn't worry too much, you'll do fine.  Best wishes!

Thanks for the info.  You know, when you go in for an anual exam/ physical you basically know what will happen and how the appt will go.  I just kind of like to get the feel of what appts are like.  Know what I mean??

I know what you mean.  Gee I even wonder about the seats...am I gonna fit?  Am I gonna get a nice nurse?  You know---actually now that I think about it what I had as described above I believe they call an echocardiogram.  The EKG, which I've had as well, is even less invasive really.  For that they just slap some of those little stick-on sensors on ya (if I remember it was on the chest and even down at my ankles that they placed them) then the little machine print out the info for them.  That time, I think I was even in my clothes....it was a long time ago though....back when I was getting on PhenFen.  Anyway, best wishes to ya.

Hi Erica.  I went to the Cardiologist and he wanted me to have a Stress test.  Because I have arthritis I had the chemical stress test at the hospital.  He also did a regular EKG and an Echo Cardiogram.  Thankfully everything went well.   I was concerned and afraid to go to the Cardiologist.  I never had my heart really checked out.  Glad I did though.  Now I have peace of mind.  The Cardiologist is also amazed at my weight loss and  pleased that I had WLS. Kathi

Dont worry too much about the cardio appt.  They are pretty simple, more than likely you will have an EKG which only takes less than a minute, they put some stick pads on you that are connected to a machine that graphs heart activity.  It actually takes longer to hook you up then it does to perform the test, you may also get an ECHO, which is simply an ultrasound of your heart, and you may also possibly get a stress test, this is when you walk the tread mill and they monitor your heart at the same time, if physically you are unable to walk the tread mill, they will use drugs to simulate exercise.  All of these things are pretty simple. I have a more rare type of heart condition and see a cardiologist on a regular basis. Good luck to you.