Yeah I know ask the cardiologist. I went to a cardiologist for my surgery clearance and he tells me I have a heart murmur and that I need a stress test. And since I can't run I have to have chemically induced stress. I am scared to death. Has anyone else been told anything regarding a heart murmur and will it affect my surgery or not? Also has anyone else had a stress test that was chemically induced instead of exercise induced? Help!

I have a heart murmur. My first consultation with the nurse she heard an irregular heartbeat. I was just told I had to get an EKG first and then I could have surgery if it was okay.

I went in to the cardiologist and had an echocardiogram and a chemical stress test. I won't get the official results for 2 weeks. The technician said that it looks like I'll get the surgery clearance. Everything looks like it should the best he can tell. He isn't the Doc of course but I feel much better about things. The stress test made me feel really uncomfortable but lasted for such a short time so it wasn't too bad. I can't believe I stressed out so much over it. Thanks to all of you here who helped me through it though. You're all so great!:biggrin:

I am so excited for you! Glad it went well! Good luck and keep me posted!-Jessica

Had a stress test yesterday per my pulmonologist during my pre-op clearance appt.

She heard my heart murmur (since birth), but so had my cardiologist a few weeks ago, and my primary serveral weeks earlier than that. The cardiologist ordered an echo and was told that I had some changes. But said it needed to be monitored each year.

However, yesterday at the pulmonologist, she was very concerned about it and has ordered a heart CT and lung CT also; while looking on xray she said that my heart was enlarged and wanted the 3-D picture to evaluate Fluid around my heart ... therefore she wants that to clear me...

well that took the wind out of my sails...

I had an appointment with the surgeon 20 miles away an hour later and had to get gas....

I broke down crying... I never hated the weight before...just didn't like it; but now .... I curse it. It's going to kill me.

the guy at the next pump thought I was crying about the gas price ($4.29) and asked if I was short on money to pay.... I said no, just have a sick relative that I was concerned about.

When I saw my surgeon a hour later, he felt that I had pulmonary hypertension and that the CT would be key.

this only validates the need for the weight loss because of the domino effect of other health issues...

so if I have again validated 100% based on these changes in my healthy, that surgery will be essential. This is truly a fight for life.

I had to do 6 minutes of walking to capture my oxygen rate. Then 5 minutes on a treadmill, set pretty aggressively; then 30 minutes of lung function tests by breathing into a machine, holding breath, pushing in/out air; then two sticks to get my blood gasses;

I was exhausted afterwards.

I hope everything is ok with you good luck for the future in weight loss.

Have you gotten any of your results? Hope you are doing okay. Keep me updated-Jessica

Yes the Doc sd I have a soft murmur aand a 3rd heart beat I am ok for surgery banded 06-11-08 and in alot of gas pain right now.

Just an update. I don't get my official results until June 26th. When I know if I got the clearance I will post it here. Thanks for your well wishes.

I went to the cardiologist today for my test results. He is giving me surgery clearance. He says the tests were normal. He also said that my heart beats a little fast so he's putting me on a medication for that but that I am ok for surgery. One more pill:frown:. But the surgeon should be able to submit to my insurance now. I can't wait to be a lap bander. Wish me luck.:blushing:

congrats I wish you luck on you journey