Heart Query

[sad old git]

Hi. I have to go for an ECG test this week. Not have't had this before I am wondering will I be told the results while I am there or will it be the "waiting game" which schreds one's nerves?

[Peaspeculiars]

Hi SOG - they normally tell you the results the same day - The person doing it will probably talk to you whilst they are doing it as well to help you relax and know what they are seeing. But the final summary will be told to you sooner than you think, so try not to worry about waiting, it's a very straight forward test.
All the best

[Sqad]

You could ask at the time and they might tell you if it was normal, but if abnormal I doubt that they would comment.

Wouldn't you rather of the opinion of a Consultant Cardiologist?

[boxtops]

In my experience it's unlikely that the person doing the test will say anything to you, they'll have to take it to someone else to interpret for you. In our surgery the healthcare assistants actually do the ECGs but they are not allowed to interpret, it has to be a registered healthcare professional (nurse or GP).

[Stephen_G]

I had one in March, and the Nurse who did it told me that the results would be e-mailed to my Doctor, and if there was anything he needed to speak to me about then he would ring me. I never got a phone call. It seemed to be over in seconds.

Shirt, Shoes and socks off. Trouser legs rolled up a bit, and try not to sweat because the sensor pads don't stick too well if you do, and breathe normally.

[Stephen_G]

Additional: It took longer for the Nurse to stick the pads (Perspiring slightly doesn't help the pads stick - surgical tape does though) on and connect up all the sensors up to the ECG machine, than the actual reading itself.

[Peter Pedant]

depends

on the service and the hospital

The service may NOT be doctor led - and the staff just say - go and see your GP/hospital doctor

remember it is your data so you are allowed to see it [eventually ]
but getting on site and at the time is a bit fiddly - they dont under the law have to give you a copy.

[ on a completely different query, I was allowed to leave an X ray (not ECG) department with large abdominal tumour and ten litres of ascites even tho I asked for the result, in April 2012 . Hope Hospital salford. Clearly their determined effort to kill me didnt work, but as you can see, it still rankles ]

[sad old git]

thank you all for your replies. I reckon I'll just have to see what happens on the day.

[Eve]

Might depend who is doing it and where.

I had my most recent one at my GP surgery and it was very quick and then she phoned through to send the result over electronically and I was told it was fine there, they did mention something but was told nothing to worry about.

When I had a cardiac echo at another clinic I was also given the result on the day.

Luck of the draw though really as to who and where (and maybe why). No harm in asking if they are allowed to tell you.

[Peter Pedant]

when I had an echo:..

" Atrial fibrillation - enlarged atria with no evidence of thrombus. Evidence of ischaemic heart disease " was treated by the staff as a state secret.

Eye hospital this morning, and my request to have a copy of the consultants clinic letter copied to me was greeted by the clerk with: " I have no idea WHAT you are talking about." [MREH] The registrar commented 'o for Gods sake this is routine....'

[EcclesCake]

Are you going for an ECG or an echocardiogram?

[sad old git]

echocardiogram

[sad old git]

echocardiogram

[DestressTermly]

Good luck with your tests. Hope the results come back with something that can easily be fixed.

If you do have to wait for the results then it is worth clarifying how long they will exactly where they are sending the results. My experience is that some places will say they will send various results to you, but actually they mean they will send them to your doctor, in which case you probably need to remember to book an appointment at the docs a few days before the results are actually due there, or preferably some time last year if you live in the wrong post code.

[sad old git]

Hi. I finally went for my echocardiogram on friday.The actual test took about ten minutes and when it was over I asked the operator if he could give me the results; he told me that he wasn't allowed to and that I would probably hear something within the next two weeks!! That seems a long time to me and if there was something wrong I would rather it sooner than later! If I have submitted this post twice please accept my apologies.

[1ozzy]

If there was anything terribly wrong I doubt you would be waiting two weeks for the results.
I think you needn't be worrying.
Cheers.

[sad old git]

Thanks ozzy for your reply.I guess I'll just have to wait and see.Cheers.