Abnormal ECG :-)

bdhilton

Ok…getting ready for surgery next week and took a ECG last week along with a host of blood test… I get a call from my urologist’s nurse last night and she says I have an abnormal ECG… I have sinus bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia with 1st degree AV block…Now this test was less than 5 seconds and my stresses EKG/ECG test in November 09 was perfect….She told me you have a resting heart rate of 48! Well, I do workout 5-6x a week and run or hike 25-45 miles a week…What is my point I do not know but I thought having a lower heart rates would be good with working out….I am seeing a Cardiologist at 1 to get clearance for surgery next week… I was fine with no issues on November 19, 2009 and since then first cancer and now a “bad ticker”...ok I am done ranting on this one… :-)

jminnj

Cardiologist
Do you know if the Cardiologist has the ability to do an ECG in their office? If so, I would ask them to do one there. Especially given the short period of time of the test. Hopefully just a glitch with the way that person did the test. Yes I would agree that your heart rate would be lower given the workouts. Not sure why she would be concerned about that lower number. Take a deep breath, meet with the cardiologist, and then go from there. Take care and good luck with the surgery.

Joe

mrshisname

abnormal ecg
Hi BD, as a registered nurse, I can tell you that this is a very common finding. Lots of people have sinus arrhythmias (I do) and 1st degree avb's are common too. They are just having you check with your cardiologist as a precaution. Since you had all the testing done back in November, they can compare your ecg's from then and see if there's been any change. Don't stress! Please let us know what he says but I'd bet the farm you get the go-ahead for surgery...just my 2 cents. Maria

bdhilton

mrshisname said:

abnormal ecg
Hi BD, as a registered nurse, I can tell you that this is a very common finding. Lots of people have sinus arrhythmias (I do) and 1st degree avb's are common too. They are just having you check with your cardiologist as a precaution. Since you had all the testing done back in November, they can compare your ecg's from then and see if there's been any change. Don't stress! Please let us know what he says but I'd bet the farm you get the go-ahead for surgery...just my 2 cents. Maria

:-)
I was kind of making fun of this test result but you never know…Hey I did not know how to spell Cardiologist until a few minutes ago let alone see one…. Sometimes I feel this is the last big push from the medical community to get every $$ out of you before Medicare kicks in and their profits are reduced :-)

jminnj

bdhilton said:

:-)
I was kind of making fun of this test result but you never know…Hey I did not know how to spell Cardiologist until a few minutes ago let alone see one…. Sometimes I feel this is the last big push from the medical community to get every $$ out of you before Medicare kicks in and their profits are reduced :-)

Tell Me About It
I know what you are saying. I was amazed at the bills for my surgery. Thank goodness I have coverage through my employer and am only responsible for 10% of the contracted amount. The hospital was over 40K, the surgeon about 19K, assistant another 7K, Anesthesia (dont think I have seen that one yet). Those were the charges, they got a lot less based on the contracted amounts.
Again best of luck with the surgery. Had mine about a month ago and spent the last two days pushing the snowblower around, so the recovery time was pretty quick.
Take Care,
Joe

bdhilton

jminnj said:

Tell Me About It
I know what you are saying. I was amazed at the bills for my surgery. Thank goodness I have coverage through my employer and am only responsible for 10% of the contracted amount. The hospital was over 40K, the surgeon about 19K, assistant another 7K, Anesthesia (dont think I have seen that one yet). Those were the charges, they got a lot less based on the contracted amounts.
Again best of luck with the surgery. Had mine about a month ago and spent the last two days pushing the snowblower around, so the recovery time was pretty quick.
Take Care,
Joe

thanks for the well wishes
my medical plan is another thing that is making me smile...I know I am blessed to have it but I had 100% doctor and hospitalization on this policy for 16 years ($200 total family deducible and $2000 total out of pocket family) and this year it changed to 80% paid by insurance, $300 deducible each member and $7500 total out of pocket each family member... and I know I am blessed to have this but interesting I never needed anything when it was 100% covered.... Another insurance conspiracy I say…just kidding..

bdhilton

Ok...now every thing is a ok :-)
Had my visit to the cardiologist and my heart is perfect. My only issue was my low heart rate per minute and that was due to my fitness level…They said they did not get many guys my age in the physical shape I was in…. You have got to love the idea that it was safer to think I weight 380 pounds and ate lard at my age than I was just physically fit…I wonder how much that visit is going to cost me… Seriously, I am thankful that my ticker is ok but he is going to give me a Stress Test end on June before my climb of Half Dome with son #3….

mrshisname

bdhilton said:

Ok...now every thing is a ok :-)
Had my visit to the cardiologist and my heart is perfect. My only issue was my low heart rate per minute and that was due to my fitness level…They said they did not get many guys my age in the physical shape I was in…. You have got to love the idea that it was safer to think I weight 380 pounds and ate lard at my age than I was just physically fit…I wonder how much that visit is going to cost me… Seriously, I am thankful that my ticker is ok but he is going to give me a Stress Test end on June before my climb of Half Dome with son #3….

Guess I get to keep the 'farm'
I figured you were a-ok. Guess I get to keep the farm I bet! Hope all goes well, will be praying for you. Take care - Maria

randy_in_indy

bdhilton said:

Ok...now every thing is a ok :-)
Had my visit to the cardiologist and my heart is perfect. My only issue was my low heart rate per minute and that was due to my fitness level…They said they did not get many guys my age in the physical shape I was in…. You have got to love the idea that it was safer to think I weight 380 pounds and ate lard at my age than I was just physically fit…I wonder how much that visit is going to cost me… Seriously, I am thankful that my ticker is ok but he is going to give me a Stress Test end on June before my climb of Half Dome with son #3….

Bd
So odd you have had this issue....I was re-building my Koe pond this past summer and had to haul wheel barrels of basically mud...underneath the preformed shell I had as my pond...and was dumping in the vacant lot next door in the woods....I found myself actually having to stop and rest before I could carry the mud about 30-40 yards and thought something must be wrong with me....this has never happened to me like that...well I decided to get a stress test..Oh I felt pressure in my heart I thought anyway while I was hauling that mud....anyway...long story short...I had a stress test it came back normal except for one thing some regurge at some bicuspid valve...or technically pulminary somthing or ruther so when my Annette saw this she said that's serious you need to see a Cardiologist...she should know she's been a Critical Care Cardiologist nurse for 25 years....well I made an appointment went to a very good cardiologist...he reviewd the the report and said...how did they come up with that diagnosis based on the numbers I see here...just to be sure he said I'll do an echo - they did..I am fine...kinda like your senario...someone who hikes to the top of Baldy does not have an issue ....you realize that only probably about 5% of the population could do that....especially at our age...I fought the company that billed me 2,700 for the stress test that I had to cover about 280 of ..but I said hey because of your numskull diagnosis of something that just about 80% of people walking the face of our earth have regurge of that valve...needless to say they did not get paid and I will not pay ever...I think they ate that balance on the bill. On the opposite side...my surgeon who skillfully saved my life (at least today) billed me 12,000 and the insurance only paid him 3,100 and I owe nothing - would gladdly pay him more...oh I will for the visits every 3 months for two years...then every six months...like he told me if you go with me you and I are married for life. (scary) You will do fine in your surgery...your in very good hands.

Randy in Indy

jminnj

bdhilton said:

Ok...now every thing is a ok :-)
Had my visit to the cardiologist and my heart is perfect. My only issue was my low heart rate per minute and that was due to my fitness level…They said they did not get many guys my age in the physical shape I was in…. You have got to love the idea that it was safer to think I weight 380 pounds and ate lard at my age than I was just physically fit…I wonder how much that visit is going to cost me… Seriously, I am thankful that my ticker is ok but he is going to give me a Stress Test end on June before my climb of Half Dome with son #3….

Glad
BD, Happy to hear your news from th cardiologist. Good luck with the surgery.
Take care and God Bless,
Joe

bdhilton

Thanks to all for the positive inputs
Thanks to all for the positive inputs and support…Not the first time I have had a “bad” call form a “professional”… I have got to admit that my heart sank when I got the call about my ECG and had to see a Cardiologist yesterday…But one thing we all know now is that something will get us sooner or later and of course the later the better…and what is really important (for me anyway) is to enjoy each day….

Btw …Randy…I know what you mean, I have hiked to the top of Mt. Baldy a few times in my life (even did Mt Whitney after the age of 50…)…not a lot of folks in our age group sitting at the top of these locations enjoying the view…I remember when my dad stopped climbing and when he stopped backpacking (60 for climbing and 72 for backpacking) and these were sad days for him but he soon filed his life with other positives…so enjoy each day for what you can do, see or touch…

Best to all