Yesterday's visit to the cardiologist

I went to get my surgical clearance from the cardiologist yesterday. She was very thorough and did an ultrasound on my heart and on my carotid arteries. She did the US on my carotid because I had a Arteriovision last year that showed the left carotid was as thick as most 78 year olds (I was 41 at the time). She also ordered a nuclear stress test. Any of you been through one of these before? It sounds like a lot of waiting around. I also wondered if these are standard for pre- RNY screenings... Thanks! Mark

I had to have a stress test which lead to a heart cath, which found there was nothing wrong and was given a clear bill of goods. pan head 

Mark,

I would definitely do it. Your BMI doesn't appear to be that high, so there may be some pre-disposition to heart disease. Maybe they'll want to do some work on the artery in the form of stents or similar treatment. If the problem actually exists, I'm sure it's worth the wait.

Best Wishes,

Dave

I just went through the nuclear stress test notthing to it. It just takes time. I had mine in two parts each day took 2-3 hours. Consisted of being hooked up to an ekg machine given a shot that makes your heart race for 3 minutes then they give you another shot brings your heart rate done and then you get something like a cat scan you lay in a machine and they take pictures of your heart on all sides. They do this once after your shot that makes your heart race and then once while your heart is at rest. they did that the second day to me. My wife is having it done all in one day and they told her it would take 5 - 6 hours. She will have the heart scanned at rest first then they will give her a shot and do it again. I hope this helps and that you can follow it. good luck Bill

Mark,

She is just being very prudent.  The General Anesthesia that we receive during  our surgery can be very stressful on a heart that is not in optimum condition.  The stress test will usually be done quickly and is usually done in one or two days (if they find issues with the circulation they may take reperfusion images the next day).  If they find an issue with the heart, the cardiologist will put you on medications that will protect your heart during the surgery, so everything can be done safely.

Jim