Echocardiogram. How to get one?

[BamaCrazy]

I believe there's medications that can help with lvh regression but your cardiologist will probably know better than me..Did they put you on anything?

I'm gonna schedule on during my blast and see what shows up

They didn’t prescribe anything due to the minimal thickening. I’ve kept my BP under control since that time and all EKG’s since have shown no changes. Hopefully last week’s are also unchanged after running a few cycles.

 

[malfeasance]

I thought Spironolactone was just a diuretic?

 

[BamaCrazy]

I thought Spironolactone was just a diuretic?

True. It’s a potassium-sparing diuretic that treats heart failure, high blood pressure, low potassium, and fluid retention. But it can cause ED, low libido, and gyno. I read it can make you look more feminine. Sounds like a fun drug.

 

[Mrhairyman]

How are people getting a cardiac echo to assess for left ventricular hypertrophy? Doesn’t seem like I can get one like I can get labs from privatemdlabs.

What did you tell your cardiologist to get them to order one? I’d rather not have PED use in. My medical record.

I honestly feel it should be a part of our yearly physical, they check almost everything else, why not the most important muscle in the body ?

If you're having a hard time with your Dr. , you can always go to the ER (if you're in the states) and tell them you are having chest pain.
They will skip everyone else in the waiting room to get you in asap
Mention family history of heart disease, lvh etc.
and they will perform all the necessary tests

 

[Ghoul]

I honestly feel it should be a part of our yearly physical, they check almost everything else, why not the most important muscle in the body ?

If you're having a hard time with your Dr. , you can always go to the ER (if you're in the states) and tell them you are having chest pain.
They will skip everyone else in the waiting room to get you in asap
Mention family history of heart disease, lvh etc.
and they will perform all the necessary tests

There is a formula that indicates "For x number of tests, x number of life years will be saved".

If the cost per "Quality adjusted life year" (QALY) exceeds a certain threshold, usually between $50-100k in the US, it's not considered cost effective.

By the way, if the test saves a 30 year old's life, it may be valued at $50k for the calculation. but if it's mostly 80 year olds being saved by the diagnostic, it's closer to $2k.

Same with the cost of medicines, and every other intervention.

This is why before getting a test, procedure or new medication, I always approach my research by asking, if money were no object, what would be used to treat this condition?

That's how, for instance, Pitavastatin got on my radar when I got serious about lipids.