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I was wondering how often everyone sees their cardiologist??? I am only suppose to see mine once a year and see a nurse every couple months. I thought I would see him more often.
Robinlynn
What was your problem to begin with? I used to see mine weekly, then every two weeks, then monthly, then every two months, then every 3, then 6, now it's every 6 for my internist and he does all the follow up. I don't see a cardiologist anymore, but it's been nine and a half years. I asked my internist who does everything for me if I needed to see one and he said no. When I was seeing my cardio, it was once a year for a nuclear stress test or whenever I felt like seeing him. Now my internist takes care of the NST. If he sees something unusual he will send me to a cardiologist. I had a triple CABG and a bunch of junk happen to me.
I go about every 2 years as I am stable on my meds and my family doctor just prescribes for me. Joyce
We recently moved. At our old place, I went to the Cardiologist every 3 months, here I go every 6. I think it depends on condition, insurance, doctor, etc.
I see mine, personally - every 6 months. I would not be happy seeing a nurse.....
I was seeing my Cardiologists every 6 weeks and now it's three months now. I on Stable meds and if I need to see hime before my 3 month appointment I call the cardiac nurse.
Dear Robinlynn,
Your cardiologist apparently feels you are on the proper medications for your condtion and that you are as stable medically as can be expected at this time. Even seeing a nurse every couple of months means they are continuing to keep a watch on you, i.e., medication reactions, or a change in symptoms, etc.
That one-year appointment only means as long as you are not developing new or worsening symptoms. Then, of course, you would either head immediately for the ER, or your doctor will see you for further evaluation and testing.
A year can seem like a mighty long time when we are confronted with a potentially life-threatening illness. And it can come as somewhat of a shock and a disappointment to discover our doctors aren't quite as concerned about our mortality as we are. On the plus side, you are probably doing as well as can be expected for your diagnosis and there is really nothing more to do but ride it out and see how it goes. On the flip side, probably the most important aspect of coping with and managing any form of heart disease is self-responsibility. That means religiously taking your meds, educating yourself and understanding as much as possible about your particular diagnosis, making whatever necessary lifestyle changes are indicated, and learning about (maybe for the first time in your life), wholesome self-love. Doctors can give diagnoses, perform medical procedures, prescribe meds, and make recommendations, but they cannot give meaning and purpose to your life, make you happy, define your values, nuture you spiritually, or do the work necessary on yourself and your "issues" that leads to a greater form of healing that includes your heart. A diagnosis of any form of life-threatening illness is a major wake-up call and daunting reality check in many ways--to say the least. OMG! You mean my life is up to ME?
Yep.
May the Blessings Be!
Sherrie
I saw my cardiologist one time after my she put in the stent for my MI. The one time was for an ecg and the results were in my favor, so I was released from her care to my primary care doctor. That was three years ago.
I see mine once a year now even though I am considered to be unstable. It is a money issue, I'm afraid.
Kinda funny, I see my cardio again tomorrow !! This afternoon I had returning significant CP, nausea, choking sensation in neck..and mild SOB...that lasted an 1-2 hours. This will make my 5th cardio appt since 9/08 ..and one hospitalization 9/09. Vague CP 2007-08. + family history , overweight, abnormal EKG..so stress test and nuclear scan in 2008. Both WNL.
Instructed to see PRN basis after that. Then admitted to hospital 9/09 with probable MI, ACS..but clear cath..poo-pooed off by hospital cardio as nuts. Left hospital ill...just wanted out of there..and $30,000 dollars later !! Saw my outpatient cardio again for f/u 10/7/09..placed on Coreg, Ranexa, and Zocor..90% improved..feeling so much better..but today CP returned despite meds, and diet, and exercise. After resting 2 hrs I feel better. No more ER's for me!!! I did call my outpatient cardio this afternoon..felt like an idiot and hypocondriac..but nurse was so nice and reassured me they wanted to know if I was having more CP. I was supposed to go for f/u 10/22/09..but they want to see me tomorrow afternoon..and of course if the CP returns or intensifies before then I am to contact my cardio's cell number. Yes, he gives his number to his patients for emergencies, WOW..pretty unheard of these days !!
So I will rest tonight and see Dr. T tomorrow afternoon. I just hoped I'm not pegged a "whiny patient"..you know how some docs do us girls..but I THINK this cardio is'nt that way.?? We shall see what tomorrow brings . Just took night meds..so maybe feeling better too soon. ??
In May I had a STEMI and then four days later a NSTEMI that lead to a stent. I have been to my cardiologist office twice but the second time I went it was because I had some "funny little beats" while I was at cardiac rehab and they notified the cardiologist. His office called me to come in. He didn't think the FLBs were anything but he did want to examine me his self. My third visit will be next week. However, I see my primary a lot. It was one week, then every two weeks twice, and monthly since including a visit next week. I hope it will go to every three months after next week. I have to go to my primary every three months to manage my diabeties... this cardiac stuff is still new to me. It has been five months since my heart attacks, but it just dawned on me today that my entire life changed in a matter of a few minutes on May 8, 2009 at about 10:00 pm.
Ok, I'm clueless. I seen mine after 6 weeks. He said he would see me at 6 months. I asked about my echo and all he said is I had thickening of the heart but nothing would be done till after the 6 month checkup, what the heck does that mean. I wished I would have asked now. He never mentioned this Cardio Rehab that everyone talks about, he never even mentioned anything about a diet. The emotional rollercoaster that I'm on. Just trying to deal with it on a day by day basis.
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