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Why Is Halter Heart Test Recommended For Heart Disease?
Question: Dr. Grief
The doctor told me to stop using salt and to have a heart test. I had five tests
including heart and returned. She gave me print outs for the tests and asked me to have a halter heart test.
I declined. I had one many years ago. She new I was in my 80's and implied my heart was
getting old. I have a digestive disorder including gas that locates on the left side just
below the waistline. Sometimes I am aware of a rapid pulse beat. I suffer from anxiety
and stress . Would appreciate a comment. Is there a fee?
XXXX
The doctor told me to stop using salt and to have a heart test. I had five tests
including heart and returned. She gave me print outs for the tests and asked me to have a halter heart test.
I declined. I had one many years ago. She new I was in my 80's and implied my heart was
getting old. I have a digestive disorder including gas that locates on the left side just
below the waistline. Sometimes I am aware of a rapid pulse beat. I suffer from anxiety
and stress . Would appreciate a comment. Is there a fee?
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please, reconsider doing this test!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what you have been experiencing lately. I have a strong feeling that communication has not been very effective between you and your treating physician. I will not understand why he would provide prints outs or order new tests without providing more information as to why you are supposed to do them. This is the most common reason why clients tend to decline doing tests because they have no real information on its importance and of what impact the test results would be towards the management of their disease.
From all the information you have provided, there is certainly a problem with the heart but, with very little direct information from your treating doctor, I can only speculate on what the possible disease conditions is.
Salt is usually restricted for clients with hypertension while holter heart test is done for persons with a suspected abnormality in the heart rhythm. This test is very important to tell what the exact nature of the heart rhythm problem is and what medications would work best. It is true that as we age the heart can no longer function like it did in our youths. However, there are some changes that are amendable to medications and you should give your doctors the opportunity to understand the exact disease process in order to be able to provide more help to you.
Talk with your doctor on the exact reasons for this test and what he intends to do with the tests results that would provide a better quality of life to you. I am sure if you have this information, you would consider doing these tests for a better management.
The anxiety and stress may be able to explain why you feel a rapid pulse rate but this should not be evident on a holter heart test. Should this test show that you have no abnormality, it would be easier to say it is due to anxiety but we cannot conclude thus without doing this test.
I hope this helps and I wish you well. I very much hope you consider doing this test so that it can shed more light on the exact nature of your problem for better management. Feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
Dr. Ditah,MD.
Please, reconsider doing this test!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what you have been experiencing lately. I have a strong feeling that communication has not been very effective between you and your treating physician. I will not understand why he would provide prints outs or order new tests without providing more information as to why you are supposed to do them. This is the most common reason why clients tend to decline doing tests because they have no real information on its importance and of what impact the test results would be towards the management of their disease.
From all the information you have provided, there is certainly a problem with the heart but, with very little direct information from your treating doctor, I can only speculate on what the possible disease conditions is.
Salt is usually restricted for clients with hypertension while holter heart test is done for persons with a suspected abnormality in the heart rhythm. This test is very important to tell what the exact nature of the heart rhythm problem is and what medications would work best. It is true that as we age the heart can no longer function like it did in our youths. However, there are some changes that are amendable to medications and you should give your doctors the opportunity to understand the exact disease process in order to be able to provide more help to you.
Talk with your doctor on the exact reasons for this test and what he intends to do with the tests results that would provide a better quality of life to you. I am sure if you have this information, you would consider doing these tests for a better management.
The anxiety and stress may be able to explain why you feel a rapid pulse rate but this should not be evident on a holter heart test. Should this test show that you have no abnormality, it would be easier to say it is due to anxiety but we cannot conclude thus without doing this test.
I hope this helps and I wish you well. I very much hope you consider doing this test so that it can shed more light on the exact nature of your problem for better management. Feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
Dr. Ditah,MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Ditah - Thank you for your remarks about communication it makes sense. Since I moved here I go to a walk-in clinic and usually see a different doctor each time so the doctor who saw the test results and refused to talk about them was not the one who ordered it. The issue I spoke about with the first doctor was diarrhea alternate constipation not heart. Previously I asked for a referral for a Dermatologist because I had severe and painful skin irritation on my legs and back that affected my rest. The clinic had not helped.
I do not drive and I was not outside the house for 4 months of ice and snow and little sunshine.Once while shopping I had to hold onto a cart because I was vey unsteady. I will try to find a regular doctor who is willing to have an elderly active client on no medication with a digestive disorder.
Appreciate your remarks.
I do not drive and I was not outside the house for 4 months of ice and snow and little sunshine.Once while shopping I had to hold onto a cart because I was vey unsteady. I will try to find a regular doctor who is willing to have an elderly active client on no medication with a digestive disorder.
Appreciate your remarks.
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your kind words!
Detailed Answer:
I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties you have had securing a stable and committed physician. I hope you get to find one soon. It strongly believe it would bring great amelioration in the quality of care you receive and the over all health benefits that you would reap.
I wish you well. Please, keep e updated and let me know if there is something more you would like us to talk on at this time.
Dr. Ditah, MD.
Thanks for your kind words!
Detailed Answer:
I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties you have had securing a stable and committed physician. I hope you get to find one soon. It strongly believe it would bring great amelioration in the quality of care you receive and the over all health benefits that you would reap.
I wish you well. Please, keep e updated and let me know if there is something more you would like us to talk on at this time.
Dr. Ditah, MD.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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