Abnormal EKG?! :-(

[WhatATool:-) 15]

I'm scheduled to have gastric bypass on August 4th, and so I'm finishing the pre-op testing. My EKG came back abnormal. Possible left atrial enlargement, and borderline arrhythmia. They want me to go see my PCP to clear me for surgery, and my appointment with him is on Monday.

But now I'm freaking out! Firstly, is there something wrong with my heart?? But mostly, is this going to tell me I can't have the surgery? I have been working towards it and looking forward to it for so long now. I mean, I think that he'll approve me, considering I don't have any history of heart problems... But I also don't know how he feels about bariatric surgery in general. I've just been going to the surgeon's office for all my tests an appointments because it's easier.

Anyone have this problem in the past?

[JordanKylie 83]

I also had an abnormal EKG, but they didn't specify what exactly was abnormal. They scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist for me and he did it on his machine, and it was perfectly fine. He also listened to my heart etc and pretty much said I was good to go. So I'm not sure if EKG machines can give out weird readings sometimes that aren't actually an issue? But there are more tests they can put you through to determine if there was an issue. I'd probably wait until you have that visit before you worry! Chances are everything is okay!

Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

[BigSue 1,434]

OMG, I have been worrying about this! I don't get an EKG until the DAY OF surgery! I am so afraid that I have gone through this whole process and I will get to the hospital on the day of surgery and fail the EKG. I don't understand why they wouldn't give me the EKG at the beginning, or at least before the liquid diet. At least you have time to go to your PCP and (I hope) get cleared for surgery before it's time.

[Lanie992 168]

Ugh. Same thing happened to me. The day BEFORE my surgery - they told me I had to have another EKG with some random cardiologist I had never heard of in downtown.... after I already had an EKG and stress test.

I had a second EKG and stress test the day before surgery & the cardiologist cleared me.. but I had to wait until he faxed over the letter clearing me for surgery, so I didn't know until about 4pm the day before that I would still be having the surgery.. and I had to be at the surgical center at 5:30am.

Don't worry! Something might have just been going on with you the day you were tested.... anxiety?? everything might be just fine, like it was with me.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[Starwarsandcupcakes 2,091]

At the risk of sound weirdly geeky with heart stuff- Abnormal EKGs happen all the time. ArrhythmiaS are anything “out of ordinary” from normal sinus rhythm (heart rate of 60-100 beats a minute). Lots of people have premature beats that cause their arrhythmias.

I had to see a cardiologist for clearance for mine. In the process I learned I have a hole between the left and right sides of my heart, a bad aortic valve, PVS and sometimes small pauses and when resting bradycardia (heart rate under 60 beats a minute). I still got cleared for surgery and my cardiologist actually asked me how I’ve been since surgery at my last appointment with them.

Your PCP will still likely clear you for surgery. Try not to stress about it too much.

[WhatATool:-) 15]

3 hours ago, JordanKylie said:

I also had an abnormal EKG, but they didn't specify what exactly was abnormal. They scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist for me and he did it on his machine, and it was perfectly fine. He also listened to my heart etc and pretty much said I was good to go. So I'm not sure if EKG machines can give out weird readings sometimes that aren't actually an issue? But there are more tests they can put you through to determine if there was an issue. I'd probably wait until you have that visit before you worry! Chances are everything is okay!

Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

So helpful, thank you ☺️ Fingers crossed!

[WhatATool:-) 15]

2 hours ago, Lanie992 said:

Ugh. Same thing happened to me. The day BEFORE my surgery - they told me I had to have another EKG with some random cardiologist I had never heard of in downtown.... after I already had an EKG and stress test.

I had a second EKG and stress test the day before surgery & the cardiologist cleared me.. but I had to wait until he faxed over the letter clearing me for surgery, so I didn't know until about 4pm the day before that I would still be having the surgery.. and I had to be at the surgical center at 5:30am.

Don't worry! Something might have just been going on with you the day you were tested.... anxiety?? everything might be just fine, like it was with me.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Oh wow, yours was way more stressful than my situation! Glad everything went fine for you ☺️

[WhatATool:-) 15]

2 hours ago, Starwarsandcupcakes said:

At the risk of sound weirdly geeky with heart stuff- Abnormal EKGs happen all the time. ArrhythmiaS are anything “out of ordinary” from normal sinus rhythm (heart rate of 60-100 beats a minute). Lots of people have premature beats that cause their arrhythmias.

I had to see a cardiologist for clearance for mine. In the process I learned I have a hole between the left and right sides of my heart, a bad aortic valve, PVS and sometimes small pauses and when resting bradycardia (heart rate under 60 beats a minute). I still got cleared for surgery and my cardiologist actually asked me how I’ve been since surgery at my last appointment with them.

Your PCP will still likely clear you for surgery. Try not to stress about it too much.

Thank you!! 😊

[WhatATool:-) 15]

3 hours ago, BigSue said:

OMG, I have been worrying about this! I don't get an EKG until the DAY OF surgery! I am so afraid that I have gone through this whole process and I will get to the hospital on the day of surgery and fail the EKG. I don't understand why they wouldn't give me the EKG at the beginning, or at least before the liquid diet. At least you have time to go to your PCP and (I hope) get cleared for surgery before it's time.

Oh wow I wonder why they would do that to you! Hoping everything goes smoothly for both of us 😊

[WishMeSmaller 1,274]

5 hours ago, WhatATool:-) said:

I'm scheduled to have gastric bypass on August 4th, and so I'm finishing the pre-op testing. My EKG came back abnormal. Possible left atrial enlargement, and borderline arrhythmia. They want me to go see my PCP to clear me for surgery, and my appointment with him is on Monday.

But now I'm freaking out! Firstly, is there something wrong with my heart?? But mostly, is this going to tell me I can't have the surgery? I have been working towards it and looking forward to it for so long now. I mean, I think that he'll approve me, considering I don't have any history of heart problems... But I also don't know how he feels about bariatric surgery in general. I've just been going to the surgeon's office for all my tests an appointments because it's easier.

Anyone have this problem in the past?

You probably have an echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart) in your future. EKG measures electrical conduction and can be used to identify possible areas of structural abnormalities like atrial enlargement. The ultrasound provides an actual visual of the heart in action so measurements can be taken and diagnosis made. Unfortunately that is just info on technical stuff and I couldn’t guess what might happen surgery-wise from there. It would really depend on echo results. I had my EKG today and there did appear to be a slight conduction issue. Hoping there is no delay in my 7/6 surgery.

Hope your results are benign so you can move forward in your process.

Edited July 2, 2020 by WishMeSmaller

[WhatATool:-) 15]

Just wanted to let you all know that my doctor wasn’t concerned and I’m approved to move forward! 10 days pre op!! 😊

[Starwarsandcupcakes 2,091]

1 hour ago, WhatATool:-) said:

Just wanted to let you all know that my doctor wasn’t concerned and I’m approved to move forward! 10 days pre op!! 😊

That’s amazing news! I bet you’re so excited!