made apt for next thurs to begin having my heart checked

[imgoingtodisney]

Want to know if Im currently at risk of heart problems. We now know they are hereditary. Doc told us that my brother most likely had hardening of the arteries for years before his massive heart attack.
Where do I begin to get myself checked? What other procedures should I have done?

 

[Liz]

I doubt you can schedule an echo yourself. It is a test that most likely has to be ordered by a doctor, but I'm not sure. I would make an appointment with your brother's cardiologist if you are worried and if he thinks its necessary he'll do tests. I hope everything is fine with you and that your brother is still improving!

 

[karebear1]

I would do that- because that doc at least knows the family history and would understand your concern- otherwise, just go to your GP and ask them to request the test. You'd have to explain why and they may or may not do it.

 

[maryliz]

Hope you don't have to wait too long to get one. My GP discovered at her recent check-up that my 6 yr old dd has a heart murmour. We've been waiting since the end of March to even get notified for an appt for her ecco. Unfortunately, with the SARS scares, everything deemed not urgent is on hold. We know it's very common to have a heart murmour, but there's something that really eats away at you when it's your own small child.

Tell your doctor you want one, and he/she should oblige. Good Luck.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

that was easy - called my doc this morn and next Thurs at 920 I have an apt w/the nurse practitioner. They will begin checking and we'll proceed from their if necessary. Guess they thought it a good idea too cos as soon as I called they booked an apt.

 

[MontyMontyMOnty]

Hi!
I had a complete workup last year, when I was first pregnant. I have MVP (mitral Valve Prolapse, a type of heart murmur), that has never caused a problem, and was fine during pregnancy. I get checked every 5 years just to be sure it is OK.
Anyway, just some reassurance--if they do an echo, it is simple, and doesn't hurt a bit. They do it just like an ultrasound for a baby, Mine took about 20 minutes. You just lay there, and breathe or hold your breath when they tell you to.
I also had a halter moniter for 24 hours, which was some electrodes on my skin and a walkman sized recorder, which clipped on to a belt. This 24 hour recording gave the docrot additional info. Neither of these is painful or scary in any way. I always get nervous when I go to the DR, so thought knowing this in advance might help you a bit.
Actually, come to think of it, when our baby was 4 weeks old, she had a complete workup by a ped. cardiologist too--for what turned out to be a completely harmless murmur that she has already outgrown. SHe slept through the whole thing.

Best of luck to you, and good for you for being so pro-active about your health!