ECG and Stress Test?!

[wishful.shrinking 53]

Hey all, just wanted to see what different doctors you had to see before you were cleared for gastric bypass! So far, I’ve met with nutrition, my primary care doctor, and had lab work done, and have appointments with my surgeon, behavioral health, pulmonary (sleep study), and an endoscopy appointment scheduled as well! PHEW. Seems like so much when I type it all out 😂 I had my cardiology appt as well today, and I though a 12-lead EKG would be the extent of it 🙄 I have no family history of cardiac issues, and I’m a totally healthy (except being overweight obviously!) 26 year old. This cardiologist said he would not clear me for surgery until I had an echocardiogram and a stress test🤦🏼‍♀️ Which of course is booked out until September! What the heck? Is this normal? Did all of y’all need the extensive testing as well? I’m going to ask my surgeon his opinion when I meet with him next week, but it seems a little overkill to me. I’m almost tempted to make an appointment with a different cardiologist! I get being thorough, and you can never be too cautious, but I feel like this is just going to be another long waiting period for something that isn’t a necessity.

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

Is this appointment for the echo in September pushing back your Surgery date? If not then I wouldn’t necessarily fault the cardiologist for being overly careful in obtaining you clearance for surgery.

Most people don’t become morbidly obese by eating a healthy diet and age does not exclude people from heart conditions especially in today’s society.

[wishful.shrinking 53]

It probably will push back the date, yes! If it wasn’t going to I probably wouldn’t care haha. I’m just confused as to why he’s being overly careful, especially because he said I was perfectly healthy and my EKG was totally normal lol. The other people I know that have gone through the same surgeon (different cardiologist though) have only had to go through the initial EKG appointment for their clearance. My blood work is all within normal limits as well, no high cholesterol, no high blood pressure, nothing haha. It doesn’t help that I have a background in the healthcare field, so I’m skeptical when someone orders tests that seem unnecessary

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

Hmmmm. Is there a way you can discuss with them that waiting so long will push the date back? Did you ask the doctor why he wanted to perform the test if your other tests were negative? Maybe you could spin it in a way that you are worried your insurance won’t pay for the echo due to everything else being negative.

The doctor should have a reason to perform the test for sure.

[wishful.shrinking 53]

I’m probably going to check with my surgeon first and see what he thinks! I’m not really good at advocating for myself on the spot so I was like “yeah sure no problem” but when I left I was kicking myself for not speaking up and asking more questions!

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Ask the cardiologist point blank....what he saw on your EKG or health history that makes him want an echo and stress test for surgery. He should be able to answer that question. If he can't, talk to your insurance company and surgeon about him. Your surgeon might opt to send you to a different cardiogist.

That said...he might be following up on something odd on your EKG...some weird blip he saw that may or may not be indicative of a problem...something that might turn out to be anomalous, but is worth checking out. If you did have anything weird or questionable....he's doing absolutely the right thing ordering the stress test and echo.

If you have any family history of anyone who had heart valve issues, enlarged heart, issues with heart strength or flow...he may want to have a look at the structure of your heart to make sure you don't carry any congenital conditions. Any young heart related deaths in your family history could prompt this, too.

You can't be too careful with your heart. It stinks that this last test is making you wait....but it's absolutely better to be safe than sorry. Good doctors err on the side of caution...even when it's inconvenient. I would a lot rather have an extra wait...than have an undetected problem going into major surgery.

Heart issues do occur in younger apparently healthy people. My brother in law is a white Water rafter, canyon hiker, extreme sport enthusiast. He nearly died of a heart defect in his early 30's.

A history of certain viral, fungal or bacterial infections might result in more concern about your heart, too.