Cardiac clearance and EKG

[68CatFan]

Hey guys, did everyone who has been implanted have to get a cardiac clearance or have an EKG done as a pre-op procedure? I went in to get the cardiac clearance today (for Dr Eid) and the EKG showed a slight irregularity in my heartbeat. It is probably of a result of a mild heart attack I had 20 years ago. I've had no heart or health issues since then. Despite being healthy, fit and not having any health issues the cardiologist is going full dick mode and now I have to go through several tests. I'm really worried about this doctor too. He also looked at the chest x-rays in my records (thanks to these doctors being in the same network they can see all my records) and pointed out the scarring I have from pneumonia in my right lung years ago. He's not even staying in his lane. The chest x-rays are none of his business and have no bearing on implant surgery.
I'm just trying to figure out my options if he won't sign off on a clearance for me. I may have to switch to a different surgeon or try another cardiologist. I can't imagine not be able to have implant surgery because of a slight irregular heartbeat that I've never known about until now and that's never caused any health issues. Thank you. -Cat

[Floridaspeedo]

Healthy guy here and I needed surgical clearance including an EKG prior to surgery. Urologist also did a veinous leak test (my 3rd for confirmation) and had a tube inserted in my dick to look at my bladder and urethra for obstruction prior to implant surgery.

[jockenor]

Hi Cat,

I had my implant done on 28 October and EKG was past of the pre op clearance at my hospital.

[dunbar57]

I got my implant last week. I was required to get lots of bloodwork, an EKG and a Chest X-Ray. My primary care dr did the EKG and bloodwork.

Hey guys, did everyone who has been implanted have to get a cardiac clearance or have an EKG done as a pre-op procedure? I went in to get the cardiac clearance today (for Dr Eid) and the EKG showed a slight irregularity in my heartbeat. It is probably of a result of a mild heart attack I had 20 years ago. I've had no heart or health issues since then. Despite being healthy, fit and not having any health issues the cardiologist is going full dick mode and now I have to go through several tests. I'm really worried about this doctor too. He also looked at the chest x-rays in my records (thanks to these doctors being in the same network they can see all my records) and pointed out the scarring I have from pneumonia in my right lung years ago. He's not even staying in his lane. The chest x-rays are none of his business and have no bearing on implant surgery.
I'm just trying to figure out my options if he won't sign off on a clearance for me. I may have to switch to a different surgeon or try another cardiologist. I can't imagine not be able to have implant surgery because of a slight irregular heartbeat that I've never known about until now and that's never caused any health issues. Thank you. -Cat

[atul21]

I had a terrible experience with getting medical clearance. I am a patient of Dr. Eid and I had to get EKG along with some blood tests for which I went to a physician.
This doctor made me meet 2 other doctors (1 Vascular Surgeon to rule our blood flow issue and 1 Endocrinologist as my Serum Prolactin was slightly elevated). After these 2 doctors gave me clearance he told me that I should see a psychiatrist as well as another urologist. All the while telling me that I don't think I should get a surgery done. I insisted that Dr. Eid has run his tests (Penile Doppler) and confirmed that I am a candidate and also I had the same results when I had gotten my tests done in India.
Then he said something very nasty and hurtful to me. He told me no girl will want to have a relationship with you once she knows you have an implant. I could not reply him back because I got overwhelmed but later when I thought about it I felt he was really out of line. I thought that I don't even have an implant and the world has already started judging me and that too a Doctor!

Finally I decided to contact Dr. Eid who referred me to Dr. Nicolas Dubois in Mt. Sinai NYC and I am due to meet him.

So my recommendation would be careful about which doctor you go to for clearance.

[Gt1956]

At least twice, maybe 3 times, I've been told that my EKG indicated a potential previous heart attack. After having the stress test, no heart attack evidence is found.
Tests can give false indications some times. The bad part is they want/need to do further testing to sort it out. I hate the stress test.

[GoodWood]

I’m familiar with preoperative clearance (medicine clearance and anesthesia clearance) from my work.

Although there is some leeway, medical and anesthesia clearance for surgery (for older men, which most of us are) includes Chest X-Ray, EKG, labs (chemistry/electrolytes, complete blood count, and coagulation), review of medications, review of health history, listening to heart and lungs, and a basic physical exam. If some new finding are turned up (irregular heart beat that wasn’t previously documented) it will be investigated further. Depending on what the irregular heart beat is, your risk may be increased. A cardiologist looking at a chest x-ray is completely appropriate. It’s a useful tool for catching cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure. It would be inappropriate if he/she DIDN’T comment on something they saw on the X-ray (scarring for instance). This isn’t an issue of someone “staying in his lane”.

They trained for years and years and years to gain the expertise they have. Trust them to do their job.

None of the issues you mentioned is likely enough to prevent you from being cleared for surgery. If additional tests are required, hopefully they can get done in time to not delay the surgery.

If they won’t clear you for some reason, talk to Eid and ask his office if they can recommend someone else for a second opinion.

[Old Guy]

Very good advice GoodWood. You are right about these docs, most of them anyway. They spend years learning and perfecting their craft only to help us.
Unfortunately, there are a few docs out there who should not be in practice. And unfortunately, I've worked with a couple and knew a couple more.

[Time2Change]

Hey guys, did everyone who has been implanted have to get a cardiac clearance or have an EKG done as a pre-op procedure? I went in to get the cardiac clearance today (for Dr Eid) and the EKG showed a slight irregularity in my heartbeat. It is probably of a result of a mild heart attack I had 20 years ago. I've had no heart or health issues since then. Despite being healthy, fit and not having any health issues the cardiologist is going full dick mode and now I have to go through several tests. I'm really worried about this doctor too. He also looked at the chest x-rays in my records (thanks to these doctors being in the same network they can see all my records) and pointed out the scarring I have from pneumonia in my right lung years ago. He's not even staying in his lane. The chest x-rays are none of his business and have no bearing on implant surgery.
I'm just trying to figure out my options if he won't sign off on a clearance for me. I may have to switch to a different surgeon or try another cardiologist. I can't imagine not be able to have implant surgery because of a slight irregular heartbeat that I've never known about until now and that's never caused any health issues. Thank you. -Cat

I had the same thing happen to me. I had to go back to my PCP for clearance.

He said no human would have flagged the irregularity that the machine flagged and gave me clearance to go ahead with the surgery.

[68CatFan]

Cardiac clearance is good to go. Thanks everyone!