cardiologist

Hi All: I am days away from surgery, on my preop diet and I went to the cardiologist today for clearance. Had my ekg. Then the doc came in and said that since I have diabetes and a family history of heart disease I had to have an echo cardiogram and a nuclear stress test on the tread mill. I must say I was surprised and a bit let down because I thought that this was the last thing I had to do before the surgery. I right out asked him if there was anything wrong and was told no, just my family history and diabetes.

I do realize the he is probably just trying to take good care of me but.....

Have any of you had to do this before the RNY? Have any of you had heart problems and still had the RNY?

Thanks for any input.

The only thing that seems odd is that your surgeon would schedule surgery, and put you on the pre-op diet without already having cardiac clearance.

Cardiac doc seems like he's simply be thorough.

But no, I didn't have heart problems or need cardiac clarance.

Don't have time to give any details but yes to both of your questions.

I had an echo, but it was done before surgery was (is being) scheduled. My surgeon doesn't schedule until all evaluations and clearances are passed. I didn't have any heart issues

My surgeon's office made me wait until I had a surgery date. All happened fast.

I have a sister who died at age 43 due to heart problems. My brother was in ICU for months for congested heart failure and only had about 35% working. They scheduled him for RNY 4 months later. It has been 4 years and his heart is doing much better after he lost 150 pounds.

I did not have heart problems, but I used the same surgeon as my brother and he did not require any heart tests. I did not have high blood pressure or any problems except overweight and pre-diabetic.

I was required a cardiac clearance and had no history of heart disease at all.

I actually believe this is a sign of a good program.

Agreed. It means that they want to be extra-safe, and ensure that your heart is healthy enough to handle the anesthesia!

Thank you all!

yes, I had them. My surgeon required it of all patients over age 50 and for those under 50 who'd had previous heart problems (I've never had any heart problems, but I was over 50 when I had surgery).