Have you had an Echocardiogram?

[Jemisa]

I'm due one of these in hospital tomorrow. -- Its not an E C G (with the stickers they put on you) Its a type of ultrasound of the heart, similar to the scan pregnant women undergo.

It examines structures within the heart, the blood through the heart & shows the hearts pumping.action. -- Evidently it takes about 30 minutes. A small probe is placed on the chest (with jelly)in order to obtain pictures of the heart. These pictures are then recorded and stored digitally.
My doc tells me its a new process, I wondered if any ABers had had one.

jem

[anneasquith]

sounds saimilar to an echogramme, painless. good luck

[karenmac60]

Mr mac has had a couple. There's not much to it, but as he's rather skinny he felt a wee bit uncomfortable with the pressure - no padding :)

[boxtops]

Jem, it's not exactly a new process but I am sure that the medical profession are bringing in enhancements all the time to make it improved. You might find the wiki page interesting (although don't click until after tomorrow if you don't want to!), it does explain what it's for and how it works. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echocardiography

Good luck anyway - hopefully it will identify if you have any problems and if so, again hopefully there will be something straightforward which can be done to resolve them for you. Let us know how you get on!

[ttfn]

Hi Jem - have had two of these - they are an absoute doddle. Just normal breathing and was chatting away throughout the scan. This is by far the easiest heart test I have undergone. Don't let it worry your sleep tonight. It could not be easier, I promise X

[anneasquith]

excuse me ........ ttfn talking of things cardiac, did you say you were waiting for an angiogram ?

[ttfn]

Hi anne - yes, another one next month. I collect heart tests like boy scout badges ;o)

[anneasquith]

keep us posted.

[ttfn]

Jem and anne - the angiogram (or angioplasty) is a fascinating procedure and I am able to see my own heart on screen - who needs out of body experiences!

[Jemisa]

Boxtops & ttfn -- Thanks for the reassurances. but I really hate getting my tits out. (G)

[ttfn]

There are worse things to contend with Jem. Neither of my scans lasted as long as 30 minutes - hope it helps.

[Sqad]

Nothing new .....it has been around for well over a decade.
Yes, I have had one.......30 mins at least.

[rowanwitch]

I've had a few over the years (and a couple of angiograms) hope they have the sound on for you...its quite interesting

[k8bailey]

don't know about new - I've had hundreds of them in my 25 years of life! They're totally painless (little bit cold), instant results, quite interesting really, in my opinion! Hope all goes well.

[cazzz1975]

ive had one, compared to some other heart tests its positively nice, they lower the lights so dont worry about your boobs, a woman performed my echo

[carlton23]

In 1973 when I had my Aorta replaced with a metal cage with a rubber ball inside, all they did was listen to the heart, rip yer open, and bung in a new bit....none of this new hanky-panky nonsense. Yeah....we wuz well-ard in them days.

[McMouse]

I've had a number and it's a totally painless and straightforward procedure. The lube used can be a bit sticky if you don't wipe it all off.

[Robinia]

I agree with the others, it's nothing nasty. I've had 4 & the worst bit was having my personal space invaded for 30 mins+...they sit up very close to you.

[McMouse]

Robina.....IMO that's the best bit. That is if the technician is female.

[Robinia]

lol McM...yes, I had females. I might have felt differently if I'd had a technician who looked like my avatar! ;o)

[DEN53]

Hiya Jem - I took my Mum for one a couple of years ago at Queens in Romford - they had very up to date computer stuff and it was painless. Others had told me it would be really noisy, but that must have been old equipment years ago.

Watched it on computer screen.

Are you going to Sarrrfend General ?