I went today for my cardiac consult. Is it normal for the cardiologist to want to do LOTS of testing? They are doing a echo of my heart, making me wear a halter monitor for a week, and doing a stress test. If I wind up having congestive heart failure, will bypass potentially be off the table?

Yes, those are the usual tests they do for cardiac clearance if you are not an established patient. I had already done the holter monitor previously so did not have to do that for surgery. EKG and stress test are the most common tests.

I didn't have to wear a halter monitor, but I did have to do the other two. My surgeon required it for everyone over age 50, and those below age 50 if they'd had previous heart issues.

I had to have the EKG and a stress test ("we didn't expect you to run...") but not the halter monitor.

If you have uncontrolled CHF they will certainly not perform the surgery, they will refer you to get the CHF looked at. Some underlying causes of CHF like high blood pressure can be resolved with surgery, so it's all down to what's happening inside you.

Edited October 15, 20214 yr by vikingbeast