Abnormal EKG before Surgery
My lumpectomy is scheduled 7/8/11.
Had an EKG done because of upcoming surgery. BS nurse called to say it shows an abnormality.
I've never had any heart issues. Have never had a stress test or seen a cardiologist. I am 53 years old. Not sure what this is about. I have to go see my primary care physicican for a checkup(on 6/30/11) to see what this might be about. I am rather bummed out about the direction this is taking.
Comments
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MrsM - I'm sorry to hear you're going through this on top of everything else. Hopefully it will turn out to be something as simple as being under the additional stress caused by your recent dx and tx. I know I've developed a new "white coat syndrome" with my BP (it averages 160/95 when I go for tx - tbut is normally around 130/80 when I take it daily). Good luck
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Do you have a full week after the PCP appt or are they really doing the lump on a Sunday? When my hubby had orthopedic surgery, it was delayed because of anEKG/cardiology concern (he had a stent in place) but you are young, female and hopefully fine!
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I had an abnormal reading recently, just prior to recon surgery, but it was not enough to stop the surgery and I came through fine. Good luck.
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I had a crazy high heartrate discovered before my ooph. A heart specialist gave me something to lower my heartrate and they proceeded with the surgery. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
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vlnrph:
ooops, sorry, I wrote the date wrong, my surgery is not on a Sunday but July 8th which is the Friday after the fourth of July. (I went ahead and edited it, so thanks for pointing that out to me).
Thanks for the encouragement girls!
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Routine pre-op ECGs are so NOT indicated in healthy adults without risk factors. Hoping the "abnormality" is just a variant of normal or something that can be quickly addressed. Have you had a previous ECG for comparison? That can be invaluable for the doc evaluating you. (noting date of your dx) Be sure to get a copy of the report for your own files for future reference.
Best wishes. -
Maybe call your PCP & leave a message. Tell her/him that you were told your EKG was abnormal. Explain that you surgery is scheduled for July__. Ask if this abnormality will delay your surgery. Let her know you are really concerned. I am a cardiac nurse & that is what I would do. Lots of people have abnormal EKGs. It may not(probably won't) make a difference. Just might be something the anesthesiologist needs to pay extra attention to.
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jyg, this is my first ever EKG so I don't have something to compare it to. I will get a copy of the report.
coraleliz, nice gettting an opinion from a cardiac nurse and I admire your profession as it's not something I would be able to do.
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Were you able to get in touch with the PCP, which cardiac nurse CORALELIZ suggested? I would hate to be waiting in suspense for so many days. As a pharmacist, I'm always telling people to call their doctors when this type of question/concern arises. If it looked like a big problem, I think they would have scheduled specialist follow-up by now.
Let us know how you are doing: I feel a special kinship for ILC sisters!
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Thanks vlnrph, my appointment with the doctor is tomorrow at 10:30. I am having a lot of anxiety over waiting. I think I 'm scheduled to see the nurse practitioner, whom I really like and who is very thorough and kind. I plan to tell her how much anxiety I've been experiencing lately. So many changes in my life. Dx with stage iv bc in Feb, chemo started in Feb which put me into menopause, only child graduated high school and gearing up to go away to college, my youngest brother went in for an emergency triple bypass last week, and now I have to see the doctor about an abnormal EKG to be cleared for a lumpectomy on July 8th. I guess when it rains it pours!
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Don't be afraid of trying a little something for anxiety - it's OK to get help: especially if sleep is a problem recently, you can cope much better in the morning after some good rest. My only child just moved out for grad school (actually a bit of a relief for us!) but the rest of our family is healthy. Are you still on for surgery?
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vlnrph, I have to see a cardiologist on Tuesday the fifth to get a clearance for surgery on Friday. I am hoping it goes well. I saw the physician's assistant on Thursday and she was very calming and understanding. I told her of the anxiety I was having and she prescribed Zoloft. I have been taking it several days now but still am having the anxiety and perhaps a bit of panic. I hope the Zoloft kicks in soon, or I may find out it isn't the right medicine for my symptoms. Thanks for asking about me, I will let you know what I find out at the cardiologist on Tues.
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Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, MrsM. Hope these glitches are and stay minimal!!
And my your surgery be very uneventful.
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Hi DivineMrsM - I also had an abnormal ECG recently. My family doctor didn't seem too concerned and said that the either the tech's methodology or a faulty machine can cause inaccuracies, but referred me to a cardiologist. I had an echo test (heart ultrasound) and then an echo stress test (echo test, followed by stress test, then another echo test). The result - everything is fine. My husband also had an abnormal ECG followed by a stress test a few months ago. Again, everything is fine. As Coraliz said, abnormal ECGs are quite common. They are covering their bases by referring you to a cardiologist before surgery, but your heart is probably fine.
My son also moved out recently and I find it tough as I am close to him. It's a hard adjustment for us. You are going through a lot now, but sound like a tough lady and will get through it okay.
All the best to you with your appointment and surgery!
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Zoloft (generic name=sertraline) can take a little while to have an effect. You also may need to bump the dose up at some point. I use deep breathing during medical tests/lab draws and whenever I need to relax! You have so much on board at the moment, be easy on yourself and your heart will thank you too.
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Hi, I had an abnormal ECG b4 my surgery as well. They were not too concerned but told me to have it checked out.
Went to my family doctor and she was not concerned but figured in the event that I chose a masectomy with reconstruction that the surgery would be longer and well worth checking.
Anyway, I went to a Cardiologist and he looked at my heart and all was good. A very minor heart murmur.
Try not to stress. Apparently these things are common in women for some reason too!
hugs ...Kosh
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Whew! Let me say to all of you who responded with kind words and your own personal experiences, it helped get me thru this ordeal!
The cardiologist has cleared me for surgery! They did another EKG in his office. He seemed to think there was a vey minor blip on it. He questioned me extensively about any kind of symptoms I might be having, shortness of breath, chest pains, ect.(no), able to go about my normal activities (yes) was I taking any heart medicines (no), plus I am not a smoker and do not have high blood pressure. He said he was more concerned if I was having any kind of symptoms of heart disease rather than what he was seeing on the EKG. He has ordered an ultrasound, but said it isn't imperative to have it prior to surgery. Their office will get back to me on when that is scheduled. He just wants it as a baseline.
OMG I am relieved. Thanks again everyone!!!
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Glad to hear you got through this and can move on with your surgery. I swear it's the waiting, for surgery, pathology reports, MRI findings, the waiting is what makes me crazy! Now that this is out of the way, you can put all of your energy into positive thoughts for your surgery and a speedy recovery. Pat
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Hooray for the good news & best wishes for Friday's procedure!
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Hi DivineMrsM - So glad to hear everything went well at the cardiologist.
All the best for your surgery on Friday. I found the lumpectomy to be not bad at all.
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Hi DivineMrsM. So glad to hear that you are cleared for surgery. Good luck with that on Friday. I am scheduled for an OR procedure on July 18th and had an irregularity in my ECG too. They did another one today so I'm hoping it will be OK. My GP doesn't think I'm high risk and I had a clear one before my lumpectomy in 2008. It seems every test I have now has some problem or abnormality. I guess it's all part of getting older. I'm 59 now and was 56 at diagnosis. Just have to keep going forward anyway, right?
Aggiecat -
You're right, Aggiecat, we do have to keep going forward, what other choice do we have.
But I agree and feel as you do, that it seems every test I go thru comes back with something additional to deal with. I have to admit, it strikes a fear in me. I became anxiety-ridden when this EKG came back abnormal. I don't know if it was the culmination of all the changes going on in my life that this is something that tipped me over the edge to a high level of axiety. Even today, tho I am cleared for surgery, I still feel some anxiety. Seven or eight months ago I thought I was a rather healthy woman who had enjoyed good health for years. Now my life consists of dealing with different doctors (surgeon, oncologist, cardiologist) and medical tests with agonizing wait times to get the test and then find out the results. I tried not to let a bc dx change my life too much, but it definitely has and at times it's unnerving.
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One way of looking at it DivineMrsM is that yea, like those 7 or 8 months ago, you are a healthy woman, but just made all the more aware of how the human body can be vulnerable to all kinds of things because of it's very nature of being "vulnerable"
(not sure how to word exactly what I mean, other than to say you are basically still a healthy woman, with a disease that you need to give attention too)
It's a shift of perception for sure, and a very real one, but dont let that shift tell you that you are "not" a healthy woman, so to speak
I hope this makes sense.
Will be thinking of you on Friday. God Bless.
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Marie, thanks for your insightful words, I am reflecting on them and finding comfort in them. It's so true, how vulnerable our bodies truly are. Thank you for your comments and thoughts for me on surgery day.
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Marie, I share TheDivineMrsM's feelings about your comments. When I went in for my sentinel node surgery, I was able to answer no to many of the diseases on the long list that they ask you about and the person said "You're very heathy". I thought that was strange considering I had breast cancer. But I guess it's all relative.
I've been cleared for surgery today as my second ECG came back normal. I go in on July 18th to have a biopsy on my uterus. They think I could have a polyp resulting from taking Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years. If it's cancerous I'll need a hysterectomy. Like all tests, waiting for results is the worst part.
DivineMrsM, sending many positive thoughts your way for Friday. Please let us know how you are doing when you get a chance.
Aggiecat -
AggieCat,
Good luck and God Bless you too for your upcoming surgery.
SHOUT OUT TO DIVINEMRSM...thought of you today, hope recovery is going fine...
Have a peaceful weekend with your wonderful hubby and son.
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Am home from surgery and all seemed to go well, at the present not even feeling any pain. So glad to have this all behind me! Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and prayers!
Aggiecat, you will be in my prayers regarding your upcoming surgery, and hope all goes well.
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So glad to hear that surgery went well. I hope your weekend has been comfortable with no glitches.
So what is on your "medical" agenda now? Are you having radiation? or is it meds to keep the mets at bay?
OR are you guys busy getting ready for college for you son?
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Hi DivineMrsM. Hope you are continuing to recover nicely from your Friday surgery. Thank you for your kind wishes. One week until my surgery and I have my pre-admission interview tomorrow. Looking forward to getting through with this and enjoying the rest of the summer. Weather here in Vancouver has not been great with more rain on the horizon for the next few days.
Marie, looks like you are a cat person too! I love those little guys! Thank you for wishing me good luck with my surgery. I will post a message next Monday once it's over.
Take care ladies,
Aggiecat -
Aggiecat...
Yep I am a cat lady (well love all animals, but my job is such that I wouldnt have time to care for a dog the way a dog should be cared for. Cat are less maintenance)
My avatar is that of my middle cat Rhythm, but I call her "Tux". The older cat is a tan tiger and her name is "Blues". The youngest is grey and her name is "Harmony".
All three are very socialized (well at least with me) and are affectionate.
Since I am single, they add so much to my life when I come in the door after a long day at work. ANd on my downtime, they are just a joy to have. 3 beating little hearts who are easy to get along with.
Keepin you in my thoughts for your surgery! Hope it's "uneventual" with zero complications.
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