Echo Cardiogram -- Why?

Hi Johnoo, I've been thinking back to when I was first diagnosed, and I had so many different tests, and if I remember rightly I had an ECG. I think they do this just to make sure everything is working as it should be.  They do sometimes check the heart before starting on chemotherapy. I'm sure it is just routine, but if you are worried you can contact your team and they will be able to explain this for you.

Take care

Hi Johnoo

I too had a cardiogram as part of testing process ahead of my treatment plan.  Treatment can be tough, especially if there is an underlying health condition. I think it is a routine test; however as Chelle has advised, if you are concerned ask you Cancer team to explain.

Kegsy x

Kegsy, How do you mean "Tough"?

I have Type 2 Diabetes & had a Heart Bypass - but no heart Attack & the operation was 6 years ago.

Hi

Sorry didn't mean to worry you.

Cancer aside, I was fighting fit with no underlying health issues. My treatment plan involved chemo  alongside 33 days of once a day high dose radiotherapy (I was on a radiotherapy trial) and was warned that the treatment would be brutal.  Now this was back in 2011 and since then chemo has been made much kinder. Also the radiotherapy trial determined that the kinder twice a day lower radiotherapy was  just as effective.

However, from posts on here, the current treatments can still  cause varying degrees of side effects.  Please remember that everyone reacts differently. 

As said previously, I had a cardiograph even though I had no history of heart issues.  The pre-treatment plan can be quite exhaustive; there was barely a week when I didn't have to have a test or scan.

Hope this helps a bit.

Kegsy x

I agree Kegsy, the amount of scans and tests are relentless. I also think they have to cover every base for all eventualities.  We do not know yet what the treatment plan will be, but chemotherapy can effect the heart and kidneys, so is best to be well prepared so there is no delay in treatment starting. I know it may feel like a tick box exercise, but all of these scans needs to be done before any treatment discussed. 

I am sure it is all routine Johnoo it will be good to get all these tests out of the way. 

Take care

Thanks to you both.

It's not that I worry, just need to understand as much as possible.

Will update when I'm aware of the treatment plan, have Biopsy next week, so after the medics review I should hope to know on about 21st April.

I too had a cardiogram before my first treatment, I think it's to get a baseline and identify any issues ahead of treatment so they understand the heart function. I've had a couple since. Once when my relaxed heartbeat post biopsys dropped to 30 and was steady at that rate - a cardiologist was summoned - I was reading, doing puzzles, and felt fine. . Ask why and expect anything. I started my cancer experience fit and healthy and am now under 5 different disciplines (no longer with the cardiology team). Still feeling ok, No lung cancer symptoms. Always best to ask questions and more to understand what why and how. Is our approach. Don't they say knowledge is power? Stay positive and strong!  

Thanks, trying to stay strong, but it's the waiting that gives distress