Question:
HAS ANYONE HAD AN ABNORAL EKG AT THEIR PRE OP TESTING?

WHILE HAVING MY PRE OP TESTING, AN ABNORMAL EKG IN MY TEST. THE CARDIOLOGIST WANTS ME TO HAVE A THALIUM STRESS TEST. I AM AFRAID I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE MY SURGERY. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM?    — Cindi S. (posted on September 26, 2003)

September 26, 2003
Actually, mine showed up as abnormal, but the tech said that it was due to my rapid pulse rate...100+ due to years of smoking and anxiety about getting blood drawn immediately before the ekg. Apparently everything was ok, because my surgery went ahead. Did they say anything more specific about what was abnormal in your test?
   — Rachael B.

September 26, 2003
don't fret just yet............. an EKG is ONLY a test of your electrical system of the heart. False-positives can be caused by just about anything. I myself had a false-positive that was caused by a simple loose EKG lead on the machine. The Thallium (or Cardiolite or Myoview) stress test is quite simple and ordered to clarify any and all questionable EKGs. (I do them for a living) It is ALOT more sensitive in determining if there is a blockage to the heart or a history of old ischemic (heart attack'ed) tissue. If it is normal then rest assured you're normal! A POSSIBLE alternative sometimes ordered is the StressEcho but it is highly inaccurate for obese people and difficult to do when someone is morbidly obese so the Thallium is usually ordered instead.
   — Ted D.

September 26, 2003
I had the same thing except it was the day before my surgery! They cancelled and i went to a cardioligist and got a sonagram and everything was fine i had surgery 6 days later...dont fret its probably nothing but better to be safe than sorry...take care and good luck Amy 9/16/03 -27 pds
   — cinamoni