A little worried...EKG indicates that I may have an enlarged heart

Leigh1966
on 10/2/11 5:53 am - NY
Before I start, let me say that, aside from being morbidly obese (303lbs) & having sleep apnea, I am in surprisingly good health. All of my vital stats are within the normal range, I've recently lost about 60lbs., & I exercise daily. I've been on the 2-week all-liquid liver reduction diet for 6 days & am scheduled to have open gastric bypass surgery on Oct. 10th. (The protein shakes pretty much take care of the hunger, but the cravings are terrible; I'd kill for a taco right now! LOL!)
Here's the problem...
I went for my pre-surgical screening earlier in the week (blood tests, EKG, chest X-ray.) Then I had an appt. with my primary Dr. yesterday for the final surgical clearance. Only, I was told the results of my EKG indicate that I may have an enlarged heart, even though I don't have any of the typical symptoms. So I had to go running back over the the hospital for an echocardi
ogram. I'm sincerely hoping it's a false positive (which the Dr. says is the case the majority of the time) or that it's something that can be easily corrected. I'd hate to postpone this surgery -- & I REALLY don't want to have to cancel it altogether. Anyway, I won't know anything until I go back to the Dr. on Tues. (Waiting is the worst!)
Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have any information on this sort of thing? If it does turn out to be an enlarged heart is it likely that I'll have to put off surgery? My doctor wouldn't give me any definitive answers (I understand that she wants to see the ECG results first) but she doesn't think I should panic just yet. Still, I can't help but worry...

Leigh
Citizen Kim
on 10/2/11 6:23 am, edited 10/1/11 6:23 pm - Castle Rock, CO
I think it's a woman thing ... I had a further nuclear stress test which also came back abnormal but it was later agreed that there's nothing wrong with me!!!!

Fingers crossed it will be the same for you - good luck with your surgery!

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

Leigh1966
on 10/2/11 7:46 am - NY
Thanks, Kim :-)   I appreciate your support.  I take it you've already had your surgery?
Leigh
Citizen Kim
on 10/2/11 8:25 am - Castle Rock, CO
You're welcome, Leigh!  I'm an old timer (7 years post RNY).  Make sure you come back and let us know what they say tomorrow?   I'll keep my fingers crossed for you ...

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

Sarahlicious
on 10/2/11 6:33 am - Portsmouth, OH
Yes, it's hard not to worry..and waiting is the WORST!!! I am dealing with my own heart issues right now, and as calm as my PCP tries to make me feel, she lets little phrases slip that I go and Google and then get myself all worked up over. I'm having to have a test redone to get a better idea...better safe than sorry. I also had my first WLS postponed for 3 months, so totally feeling you on that possibility, but remember it's all for the best, you want to be as healthy as possible for surgery...no matter how emotional the process will be. Oddly, none of my heart issues were discovered before I had WLS, so give you perspective on that....just send some big hugs that it's all just a false positive. But be sure to let us know how things turn out!

I have Lipedema and Lymphedema. I also have a passion for Obesity and Health Insurance Advocacy

Blog: born2lbfat.com Facebook: Born2lbFat Twitter: @born2lbfat

Leigh1966
on 10/2/11 8:02 am - NY
Thanks, Sarah :-)
I'm still feeling pretty positive.  I just keep thinking that if it were anything serious enough to prevent me from having the surgery at all I would be experiencing some kind of symptoms.  Having to postpone surgery would be disappointing & frustrating but it wouldn't be the end of the world.  (I just keep looking at the Before & After pictures on here & thinking, "I can't wait for that to happen to me!")  And you are absolutely right: I want to take as few risks with this as possible in order to avoid complications.
Sorry to hear about your own obstacles.  I certainly feel for you -- & I've been doing the Google thing myself all weekend!  Hope everything works out for you & that your heart issues will be easily straightened out.  I'll definitely let people know what happens with mine.
Leigh
tulips52
on 10/2/11 8:41 am
 I had an abnormal? EKG and had to have the stress ECG too...luckily, mine came back normal. Here's hoping yours does too! (I was told many yrs ago by an emergency dr that I had congestive heart failure . My legs had swelled up in a long car ride. When I got back home, my PCP investigated and said that there was absolutely no evidence of it) Crazy!

     

Leigh1966
on 10/2/11 9:09 am - NY
Thanks, Wayne :-)
Isn't it weird how some people seem to just love to deliver bad news? -- even when they don't know what they're talking about?  I'm certainly glad your concerns turned out to be unfounded. 
The PCP I saw this past week was new to me (the clinic I go to switches Dr's on me every couple years) so it was kind of hard to know how to read her.  She seemed level-headed enough - & I do appreciate her trying to play things on the safe side - I just hope she's not over-reacting because she's unfamiliar with my case.  After my surgery I'm switching over to a private physician I know has experience with bariatric patients & recently had open gastric bypass surgery himself.
Anyway, I'll be holding my breath until my appt. on Tues. morning!
Leigh
hrford
on 10/2/11 9:00 am
VSG on 03/19/12
 My husbad (a 30 yr old soldier so not out of shape at all) had an EKG come back wonky, then the ultrasound showed and even bigger issue.  The doctors came in and said, we think you have (whatever really dangerous thing it was) you are going to need to go in for immediate open heart surgery!  We freaked.  They said we want to do one more test, and that test showed that it was a stupid shadow on his heart not anything major and he had walking pneumonia nothing else. . .

I say this because yes falso positives are extremely common.  But it certainly doens't keep you from freaking out.

HW: 270 SW: 234.4 CW: 135.0 1stGW:149 (GOAL MET)afreshstart-hreneeh.blogspot.com/
1st 5k: 5/12/12 44:55  PR 4miles: 12/31/2012 35:49
  

Leigh1966
on 10/2/11 9:14 am - NY
Thank you!  All of these responses are helping me feel much better :-)
I'm really sorry your husband had to go through all that, but I'm so glad it all turned out to be a false alarm.  I can only imagine how panicked you must've been!
I'm also glad to know I'm not the only person who uses the word "wonky" - LOL!  :-D
Leigh
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