Do you still go to a cardiologist?

Since getting my pacemaker a few years ago, I just see the electrophysiologist who did my EP test and implanted my pacemaker -- I don't go to a cardiologist.

Is that pretty normal, or do other folks still see a cardiologist?

In case it matters, I was diagnosed with bradycardia, chronotropic incompetence, a 2-1 AV node block, and escape rhythms.

8 Comments

ep vs cardio

by Tracey_E - 2015-02-07 03:02:41

cardio's are primarily plumbers, ep's are electricians. My electrical problems aren't complicated so I let my plumber handle it. If you look in the old polls, I think we did one once asking who sees ep vs cardio vs both. (if I'm wrong, let me know and I'll start one!) My guess is it's an even mix.

Now only see EP

by SaraTB - 2015-02-07 04:02:08

I started seeing a cardiologist, who referred me to an EP for an ablation for SVT as it wasn't being well controlled with meds. That went, well, not quite as planned, and I ended up with 3rd degree heart block and a PM. They both agreed that as the issues are purely electrical, I no longer needed to see the cardiologist, just the EP.

Cardio first, EP second

by donr - 2015-02-07 06:02:11

My Cardio diagnosed me as needing my PM. Had a associate EP who put it in . Then the Cardio monitors it. He is a licensed Plumber & Electrician. Has a significant number of PM patients.

Donr

They both are cardiologists

by IAN MC - 2015-02-07 11:02:05

Sparrow just beat me to it with her reply. EPs are in no way inferior to cardiologists, they are in fact qualified cardiologists who have received extra training.

All of the problems you have listed are electrical so, in my view, you are better off seeing an electrical specialist i.e. an E.P.

Ian

opposite!

by Tracey_E - 2015-02-07 11:02:25

I only see the EP when it's time for a replacement. I see the cardio the rest of the time. I've been seeing a cardiologist since before EP was a separate specialty, never considered changing because I really love my cardio. I have congenital av block.

I Still See Mine

by Runningmama - 2015-02-07 11:02:45

I have stage 2 sometimes 3 mobitz type block, I see my normal cardio every 3 months and the pacemaker programmer and my EP every 3 months til next month, then every six. But I have a research pacemaker, thus the extra visits to the EP who is also my study doctor.

I am with Tracey.....

by Tattoo Man - 2015-02-08 09:02:08


.....M.y Tecchie, Lawrence tells my Car.dio..Andrew what is going on. I see Andrew once a year,..mostly so he can tell me that he thinks that he ought to run more often.........

TM

My cardio

by MelodyMarch - 2015-02-08 10:02:30

Is board certified EP, but as part of his patient intake he puts everyone through a stress test, an echo and a Muga Scan. Expensive yes, but then as he tells me (one of the younger patients he has) we have a baseline in case new issues Pop up, and we only repeat the stress test and the echo every five years.

He says my plumbing is as clean as a whistle, but my electric circuits are fried, hence my PM. I am now on yearly checks in the office and remote checks 3x a year. He also says that if anything possibly plumbing related pops up he will set me up with the best plumber in his practice.

I feel comfortable with that. Especially that my EP knows his specialty and does not try to manage something he shouldn't.

You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.