How often...

[Domsmom05]

How often do I have to get a reading for my EF? I only ask because lately I have been having a lot of palpitations and sometimes feel like my heart is skipping a beat or not beating normally. I have also noticed some swelling in my lower legs and it just makes me nervous. Should I contact the doctor because I am the type of person that doesn't like to bother them unless it's something. I haven't even gotten a cardio down here because my cardio in CT said that my heart function was normal and not to worry anymore.:confused:

[JAMESFETT]

The palpitations can be entirely different from the EF and systolic heart function. Each symptom has to be evaluated on its own, and a determination made if additional investigations are needed. Of course it is reassuring to know that you have an EF of 55 percent, in the recovery range. Nevertheless, new symptoms merit review between you and your doctor. Not all symptoms require another echo and determination of EF, but that is a decision that has to be based upon symptoms and findings on exam. A recovered PPCM patient, in the absence of heart failure or rhythm symptoms doesn't require a repeat echo more than once a year for the first couple years, and then less often than that. If there is worry about new symptoms of heart failure after medical history and physical exam, one can consider a blood BNP, which, if elevated, requires additional eval, including determining EF on echo. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor, that is the reason for having a doctor, and patients should not be hesitant to review new symptoms with him/her.

JDF