Last Test

I think I might have had my last heart test today. At least for the next 12 months anyway.

For those that may remember, the last time I had an appointment with my cardiologist Dr Stobie he was generally satisfied that he didn't need to see me for another year. That appointment was just after I had done a cardiac stress test and he had felt that the results of that test were pretty okay.  At the end of the appointment all he wanted to do was one last batch of cardiac imaging to make sure that the structure of my heart was still as expected and then he would be all good. That imaging was today.

In the past I have usually had cardiac MRIs when the Doc has wanted a closer look at my heart, I think I have had three now. The problem with the MRI is they are a bit of a pain and they are super expensive (and I always fall asleep). Dr Stobie didn't feel that an MRI was necessary this time so instead opted for an echocardiogram, which is actually something that I don't think I have had done before. An Echo is quite simply an ultrasound of the heart. It is much simpler than the MRI and can produce some good images of the heart's structure, but apparently isn't so good at identifying things like fatty deposits etc. I have to say the experience was a lot more pleasant that an MRI.

Assuming that the results of the echo are all good (which I think they might be) then that should be me in the all clear for a year or so. The relief at having this last test out of the way isn't as great as when Dr Stobie told me he was satisfied with my progress, but it is certainly a nice milestone in itself.

As I have said many times, this cardiac road has been a very long one, it is nice to feel like I am getting towards some kind of an end point.