This is me right before I got the monitor. Today was a big day, but a good one at that.
This morning I went in and they did an echo cardiogram. Really neat. It is a sonogram for your heart. It looks just like what you would see your baby on although you see your heart beating instead. It was really neat. She took pictures and videos at all different angles and then turned on something that showed you all the blood moving. That was neat too. It was red & blue and showed you were the oxygenated blood versus the un-oxygenated blood was and if they were interfering with each other. The last thing she did was turn on the sound. That was neat, but odd. It was the sound of your heart beating but also you could hear the blood sloshing around going in and out of your heart. I felt bad for the little valves- always having to work. No wonder they get tired...
This morning I went in and they did an echo cardiogram. Really neat. It is a sonogram for your heart. It looks just like what you would see your baby on although you see your heart beating instead. It was really neat. She took pictures and videos at all different angles and then turned on something that showed you all the blood moving. That was neat too. It was red & blue and showed you were the oxygenated blood versus the un-oxygenated blood was and if they were interfering with each other. The last thing she did was turn on the sound. That was neat, but odd. It was the sound of your heart beating but also you could hear the blood sloshing around going in and out of your heart. I felt bad for the little valves- always having to work. No wonder they get tired...After doing the echo cardiogram I met with the doctor who doesn't hear anything from listening to my heart and her doing the exam but she wont know if there is a structural problem until after the echo comes back. Also, the EKG is just a little snap shot of what your heart does all day. Therefore I was placed in a Holter Heart Monitor. I have to wear it for 24 hours. As of right now I have 10 hours and 55 minutes left. Here is some information on them, and a picture of the exact one I'm wearing.
HOLTER MONITOR DESCRIPTION:
Holter monitoring is a painless test which provides a continuous recording of heart rhythm during normal activity. This electrophysiologic test is used to assess and document cardiac rhythm disturbances, and to monitor the effect of antidysrhythmic and pacemaker therapy. The monitor is usually worn for 24 hours (or longer) to obtain a recording. The Holter monitor can record heart rate and rhythm when you feel chest pain or symptoms of an irregular heartbeat (called arrhythmia). The doctor can then look at the time when patient noticed these symptoms. Reading this printout will give the doctor an idea about the nature of the heart problem.
I took pictures but don't think I will be posting them considering it is my chest. It is extremely itchy and awkward. I have tape all over my chest.
2 comments:
I saw your risque pictures and I hope everything goes well!
Thinking about and praying for you...
Call with some updates about your placement. I am VERY eager to know what they are doing.
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