Meeting with EP tomorrow
Cardiologist suggested I meet with EP after latest echo said EF 29% after I have holding steady at 41-43% EF for years - have LBBB - I am shocked at latest echo results as I walk every day 9-10 miles. Jog sometimes an hr, slow but jog. No symptoms ie Shortness of breath, lightheaded ness, fatigue.
Very anxious, pissed, skeptical, depress, all the emotions. Assume down the road I might need a CRT but not now- I am very skeptical of this latest echo- think I got a false reading a few yrs back on a previous test - my GP doctor was also shocked and said I should ask for a muga-
sorry for rambling but that is where my head is now
4 Comments
skeptical
by Tracey_E - 2019-10-02 09:24:26
I'd be skeptical, too. The ep may want to do another echo. My ep does them differently than my cardiologist. If you don't have any symptoms, there's no need to rush into anything, even if it has dropped.There is the possibility that any of us can end up with a CRT, either from pacing or simply from aging. Fortunately we live in an age where there are ways to help when EF drops.
Hold on!
by Gotrhythm - 2019-10-02 12:33:42
What you have is just one test of heart function that is out of line with other tests. In the meantime, all your real life experience tells you there's no problem with your heart's ability to pump efficeintly.
A wise doctor told me many years ago, "Don't get upset until you know for sure what you're getting upset about." I submit to you that you're getting all bent out of shape about a problem you don't even know if you have. One test does not a diagnosis make.
Like Tracey, I think you should be skeptical. When a test gives results that appear wonky, the first thing you do is repeat the test. If looking into the matter further means consulting an EP, what's the harm in that? In my opinion, people with pacemakers should be seen by an EP.
Chill. When you know for sure what the problem is--or if there is a problem at all--there will be plenty of time to be scared, pissed, depressed, etc.--or not.
sad
by ROBO Pop - 2019-10-04 01:54:29
How sad you've had this problem for "years" and yet don't seem to know much about it. First and foremost an echo is a quick and dirty test to look at trends and data is highly subjective. 2 different doctors reading the same echo will almost always come up with different EF numbers. If I recall correctly the tolerance on echos is 10%. MUGA is a much more accurate test.
Secondarily so what you walk, jog, run all the time, it ain't gonna help an electrical problem.
Get a grip. Get a second opinion and stop stressing about this crap. If you feel fine get on with life
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Pissed?
by AgentX86 - 2019-10-01 22:06:41
There's no reason to be pissed. You might want to get a second opinion but the numbers don't mean a lot. What's important is living your life the way you want to. Yes, you might need a CRT but that's not the end of the world either.