Emmet Cole
Nov 06, 2024
holter monitor/echo test?
On Thursday, I have to undergo an echocardiogram and wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours, and I’m feeling really anxious about it. Will it hurt? I understand it’s a 2D echo, not a stress test or anything like that. I’ve never had any heart issues before, but my heart has been racing at night. I had an EKG done, and it came back normal. What if they find something? What could be wrong? I’m really worried. They also took blood to check if it might be a thyroid issue or something similar. I’m 20 years old, and I’m just not sure what could be going on.
3 Answers
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It gives the doctor a real time look at the heart as it is working, so he/she can see if things look pretty normal or not. A Holter monitor is a portable EKG that gives the doctor a 24-hour, continuous record of your heart rhythms.
Both tests are what is called ‘noninvasive’ which means they don’t break the skin to insert anything. Both tests are entirely painless, and during the echo you’ll probably get to watch your heart on the monitor as well. It’s interesting!
There are lots of things that can affect heart rhythm, not all of them situated in the heart and not all of them very serious. The blood test for your thyroid was to determine if you have an excessive amount of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, since the thyroid controls metabolic rate, and so an excess of hormone can cause palpitations or an increased heart rate. This is very easy to treat.
But if this IS a heart issue, most especially if it is a genetic defect, you would be very, very lucky to have caught it this way. Doctors have a huge arsenal to deal with heart problems now, and any problem you might have is probably easily treatable. The key is to diagnose it, which is what these tests are all about, and they are gentle, noninvasive, and in the case of the echo, interesting tests to take.
You’ll be just fine. Quit worrying.
Echo’s don’t hurt at all. I have had one at least once or twice a year since i was born(im 18 now) and they have never hurt. Sometimes they press a little hard, but its just a pressure feeling it doesn’t hurt. A holter monitor also does not hurt, its basically like a portable EKG, same things just portable. You could maybe have an undiagnosed congenital heart defect(one your born with) or maybe an arrhythmia or electrical problem? whatever it is im sure your cardiologist will be able get you fixed up. try not to worry to much.
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