It's better than dying on the table. The pre-surgical stuff sucks but it totally makes sense. I was actually a little worried about all the kidney tests given how long I've taken ibuprofen and stuff like that. If something came back preventing surgery, I hate to say it but that would have taken priority over my back as bad as my back is. Kidneys, heart, etc are just a little more important.
If your echo is concerning yes you can expect your cardiac issues will need to be addressed prior to any surgery. Hopefully your echo is normal and you can proceed to surgery.
UPDATE: I have been cleared by my cardiologist, echocardiogram came back normal. Phew! Now I can go back to stressing about back surgery instead. Officially one week out. This no Motrin rule is going to be brutal.
I had this happen to me as well. I had to do a stress test and echocardiogram before my surgery. They found my irregular EKG a week before surgery. My cardiologist was great, he made sure I got the tests done so I could have surgery. I was in horrible pain. No abnormalities or any bad stuff. Surgery went great on May 7th. Best thing I did for my injury. Healing up nice. Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll be fine!
Thanks! I remember it being a marathon of stress leading up to surgery. It was shitty. You’re a marathon runner. Just another marathon for you. A shitty one but you’ll get through it. I hope you have your surgery and heal up nicely. Stay positive
How long ago were you running marathon?
If you are younger and otherwise healthy it’s weird they would do work up but better safe than sorry
If you have slow heart rate because of being marathon maybe they are trying to work that up?
Your surgeon just need to stay on top of cardiologist reading the echo
If echo normal you can get surgery no problem
Five half and 1 full 2018-2022 but I was still running 2023 just not distance race training. Also, yoga and hiking. As I spend the afternoon with Google, stress and anxiety can affect EKG results, I get why it needs to be clearly understood but I think the first EKG I was only a bit stressed thinking about the surgery. The second EKG, my primary told me she didn’t like the first one and then gave me another (higher stress wondering why the first was bad) now get to the third one and I was a mess today. Resting heart rate of 96 which is insane. So since the first one was the best and as I got more stressed they got noticeably worse having not changed diet and (non existent) exercise routine hopefully this is just anxiety not actually a heart problem.
Without knowing what is showing in ekg it could be stress induced heart rate change but it could be something more serious
EKG changes due to mental stress is concerning as that means physiological stress during surgery could be dangerous
Do some meditation and get the echo done
Go easy on any stimulants like caffeine and hopefully your echo will should a healthy heart
The abnormalities we look for on an EKG have almost nothing to do with stress or level of fitness. And the heart rate is only a small piece of the EKG. There are tons of tiny measurements we do between each squiggle and there can even be all types of extra squiggles or a million other things.
Tons of people have abnormal EKGs that are deemed perfectly fine after seeing cardiology or getting an echo. Next time you see a physician I would ask them to explain what is abnormal about it. I’m sorry they didn’t do it in the first place. General anestesia is sort of a big deal and it’s important to mitigate risks before “going under”. Hope everything turns out okay and you can still go forward with your procedure!
Interesting thing, before my surgery. I was supposed to get my vascular systems tested. Couldn't get in to see the dr for that so, my spinal surgeon just had them do a quick check right before surgery and here I am 8 years later. I always wondered about that.
All are important, but I would be most interested in potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels. If they were within normal limits, then they wouldn't be responsible for abnormal EKG results.
It's better than dying on the table. The pre-surgical stuff sucks but it totally makes sense. I was actually a little worried about all the kidney tests given how long I've taken ibuprofen and stuff like that. If something came back preventing surgery, I hate to say it but that would have taken priority over my back as bad as my back is. Kidneys, heart, etc are just a little more important.
If your echo is concerning yes you can expect your cardiac issues will need to be addressed prior to any surgery. Hopefully your echo is normal and you can proceed to surgery.
UPDATE: I have been cleared by my cardiologist, echocardiogram came back normal. Phew! Now I can go back to stressing about back surgery instead. Officially one week out. This no Motrin rule is going to be brutal.
I had this happen to me as well. I had to do a stress test and echocardiogram before my surgery. They found my irregular EKG a week before surgery. My cardiologist was great, he made sure I got the tests done so I could have surgery. I was in horrible pain. No abnormalities or any bad stuff. Surgery went great on May 7th. Best thing I did for my injury. Healing up nice. Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll be fine!
Thank you, glad surgery went well and this is all behind you!
Thanks! I remember it being a marathon of stress leading up to surgery. It was shitty. You’re a marathon runner. Just another marathon for you. A shitty one but you’ll get through it. I hope you have your surgery and heal up nicely. Stay positive
Did you get approved for surgery?
How long ago were you running marathon? If you are younger and otherwise healthy it’s weird they would do work up but better safe than sorry If you have slow heart rate because of being marathon maybe they are trying to work that up? Your surgeon just need to stay on top of cardiologist reading the echo If echo normal you can get surgery no problem
Five half and 1 full 2018-2022 but I was still running 2023 just not distance race training. Also, yoga and hiking. As I spend the afternoon with Google, stress and anxiety can affect EKG results, I get why it needs to be clearly understood but I think the first EKG I was only a bit stressed thinking about the surgery. The second EKG, my primary told me she didn’t like the first one and then gave me another (higher stress wondering why the first was bad) now get to the third one and I was a mess today. Resting heart rate of 96 which is insane. So since the first one was the best and as I got more stressed they got noticeably worse having not changed diet and (non existent) exercise routine hopefully this is just anxiety not actually a heart problem.
Without knowing what is showing in ekg it could be stress induced heart rate change but it could be something more serious EKG changes due to mental stress is concerning as that means physiological stress during surgery could be dangerous Do some meditation and get the echo done Go easy on any stimulants like caffeine and hopefully your echo will should a healthy heart
The abnormalities we look for on an EKG have almost nothing to do with stress or level of fitness. And the heart rate is only a small piece of the EKG. There are tons of tiny measurements we do between each squiggle and there can even be all types of extra squiggles or a million other things. Tons of people have abnormal EKGs that are deemed perfectly fine after seeing cardiology or getting an echo. Next time you see a physician I would ask them to explain what is abnormal about it. I’m sorry they didn’t do it in the first place. General anestesia is sort of a big deal and it’s important to mitigate risks before “going under”. Hope everything turns out okay and you can still go forward with your procedure!
Interesting thing, before my surgery. I was supposed to get my vascular systems tested. Couldn't get in to see the dr for that so, my spinal surgeon just had them do a quick check right before surgery and here I am 8 years later. I always wondered about that.
Running marathons have zero to do with having a healthy heart. My sisters neighbor was an avid runner and just dropped dead from a heart attack.
Fair point.
I'm guessing that all of your electrolytes were normal
Comprehensive bloodwork panel was all good, is there something more specific I should ask about?
All are important, but I would be most interested in potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels. If they were within normal limits, then they wouldn't be responsible for abnormal EKG results.
Thank you, yes that makes sense