Since we all think we have/had heart problems - Anxiety Message Board

Lourage · 09-09-2008, 01:58 PM

What can i expect in a few days when i get my echocardiogram, if you have gotten one? Both me and my cardiologist think there is nothing wrong with my heart, and that my BP spikes is anxiety related ( my ekg came out normal, as did chest x-ray/blood work) but what i'm most nervous about is not the actual test, not fear that anything is wrong. IT's the laying there for who knows how long with the nurse right over me, not being able to move lol. I know i'm going to be anxious as anything, especially since i KNOW i'm not going to be able to just get up and walk away if i start to feel a panic attack come on

Plus i know MY BP will probably spike up during the whole thing, so my heart will probably be going crazy on the echo! I need to make sure i don't look at the monitor, or i'll probably flip out lol.

So how did it go when you guys had one done? keep in mind it's not a stress one. How long did it take?

Lindaru · 09-09-2008, 02:38 PM

My first one showed preventricular tachycardia because I was anxious. They let me sit up for a while (with the electrodes still attached and kind of talked me into calming down).

They did a second one and while it still showed sinus tachycardia (I have an artificial heart valve since childhood), they figured that was normal and it was not alarming for me.

As for my blood pressure, it remained high. We have a home testing monitor and I had to track my morning blood pressures for a few days. They were all in the 110 to 120 over 60 to 80 range, so heart problems and blood pressure problems were ruled out.

See if they can elevate your head slightly while they are doing the test (took five to ten minutes for me to get it . . . the lengthiest part was getting the little suction cups hooked up and taken off). I found that you feel less vulnerable if you are not laying completely flat.

Best of luck! I will be with you in thought.

Lindaru

Lourage · 09-09-2008, 02:53 PM

Wait, you show you're not thinking of a EKG? I already had one done and it came out fine, well, my last one did, first one came out as sinus tachycardia.

I'm getting a echocardiogram done, where they do an ultrasound of your heart. Where they put the gel on your chest and use that transducer thing pressed against your chest wall.

oh, i'm sorry! i just read up more on it and see that they attach those electrode things for a echo as well. Really though, it only took ten minutes? I thought it was going to take like an hour

That shouldn't be that then. Thanks for the reply

Looly · 09-09-2008, 07:06 PM

Lourage.....please take it from me.....the test is not worth worrying about. I am terrified of tests and doctors and I feared the worst and quite honestly the test was nothing. Absolutely non threatening and does not provoke anxiety. I too have high blood pressure on occassion with racing heart (dr. says anxiety also) and I did not freak out at all through this test. I, on the other hand, worried about the results. After a long week waiting, my results showed that my heart was strong with no abnormalties. So don't get so upset.

Lindaru · 09-09-2008, 09:45 PM

I did not have to wait for my results. There was a technician in there watching what my heart was doing as they moved the thing around. They were able to determine that apparently there was no heart murmur (one doctor thought they heard one which is why I had to have it done) and that everything, though fast, was functioning correctly.

Looly is right. It is really nothing to get worried about. It will be over before you know it and hopefully, like me, they can give you the results on the spot.

Lindaru