Sports heart screening

AARRRGH

Hello

After reading this BBC article about sports heart screening, I'm wondering if any of you have ever had your heart checked for potential problems?

Is there a clinic in Ireland who do this cheaply?

Racing Flat

Good post. Wouldn't mind getting this done if it was available.

tracto

I had an ECG done there in the Mater Private a few months ago and a consultation then with one of the Heart Specialists in a practice across the road from it. Cost about 200e, probably well worth it for the piece of mind alone. I just did it as i was training heavily for triathlon and there's quite a family history of heart problems (and my Mum made me :cool:).

I heard a discussion on the whole concept last year on off the ball, they had a doctor on saying that while Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) only effects something like 1 in 100,000 the ecg detects abnormalities in 1 in 4 patients so its still probably not as percise as it needs to be.

Ag marbh

I can be a borderline hypochondriac with the heart at times due to a few anxieties and was only recently thinking could such a thing be done.

I'd personally pay 200 euro for peace of mind

celestial

I think this is more for people who have a genetic predisposition to heart problems, rather than just every Tom, Dick and Harry who works out/plays sport - but good idea all the same if it gives peace of mind.

EileenG

Well, I'm at the age where doctors start making noises about heart, diabetes, cancer etc, and I wouldn't mind paying money to have a thorough health check, even though I think I've got a good lifestyle and great genes.

pvt.joker

The Mater Private do a full health screening including ECG etc.

http://www.materprivate.ie/about/HealthCheck.asp

Your consultation will include:

Presenting health issues/symptoms, if relevantMedical historyHistory of allergiesMedicationLifestyle analysisRelevant medical family history


Your physical examination will include:

Blood pressureWeigh-in to include body mass indexLung function testRespiratory rateTesticular/pelvic examinationVision & hearing assessmentCardio-respiratory systemsMusculo skeletal systemsCentral nervous systemsAbdominal examination


Outline of investigations performed/Comprehensive blood analysis to include:

Full blood countKidney function testsBone profileLiver function testsTotal lipid profile (Cholesterol, LDL & HDL Cholesterol)Fasting blood sugar (diabetes)Uric acid (gout screen)Total iron studiesPSA (prostate cancer screen for males)


Other tests included:

Stool analysisUrine test for diabetes, infection and kidney functionElectrocardiogram (ECG) - tracing of the heartChest xray (if required)Cost: €500

Reyman

tracto wrote: »

I heard a discussion on the whole concept last year on off the ball, they had a doctor on saying that while Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) only effects something like 1 in 100,000 the ecg detects abnormalities in 1 in 4 patients so its still probably not as percise as it needs to be.

A word of caution on all this ! It's easy to be a hypochondriac unnecessarily.

If you go down the heart check route and you're one of the 1 in 4 who's ECG shows up an unusual pattern, let's be clear - you'll be hauled back for plenty of further testing and specialist sessions. Most likely they'll find nothing but you'll probably be down at least €1k, at the end of several months worry - this is the way medicine is nowadays, no chances are taken and it's an ATM machine for the medical profession.

For anyone who's reasonably young (<35) and has no family history of heart problems - I'd say, 'don't waste your money'! It's just not necessary

EileenG

For what it's worth, I did this today. I'll get the results in ten days or so, unless there is something urgent.

So far, the worst thing they've found for definite is that I have flat feet!

There was a lot of poking and prodding, I was literally checked from head to toe, including hearing and eyesight, breasts and cervix, joints, height and weight, lungs, blood pressure etc.

Not so impressed with the doctor who tutted disapprovingly when I said I did eat butter, and red meat and cheese (all organic and local), and asked me if I'd like to see a dietitian?

Got an ECG, chest x-ray and Dexa bone scan of hip and spine, plus lots of blood tests taken.

One odd thing: I had a shopping list of blood tests I wanted, but discovered that if they weren't part of the regular panel of tests, you had to pay extra for them, often a lot extra. They told me it would be a lot cheaper to get my GP to request them from a public hospital and get them done that way.

Reyman

EileenG wrote: »

One odd thing: I had a shopping list of blood tests I wanted, but discovered that if they weren't part of the regular panel of tests, you had to pay extra for them, often a lot extra. They told me it would be a lot cheaper to get my GP to request them from a public hospital and get them done that way.

Interesting reading Eileen!. By the way - You can get the blood tests done for free in Vincents, James's Hospitals, etc..
Just €50 for a GP letter and then €50 to see the results from your GP.

siochain

Yip had it all done, stress test, heart x-ray, heart and neck artery ultra sound. Done it about two years age, great for piece of mind. Went to my GP told her what I wanted done and was referred to Vincent Maher in Charlemount clinic only thing VHI didn’t covered was the x-rays, GP and consultant frees, all in all came to about E200 (GP E50, Dr Maher, E100, x-rays E 50)

EileenG

Reyman wrote: »

Interesting reading Eileen!. By the way - You can get the blood tests done for free in Vincents, James's Hospitals, etc..
Just €50 for a GP letter and then €50 to see the results from your GP.

I'm not that pushed. I had a lot of things like serum Vit D and cortisol levels and stuff like that which would have been nice to know, but not knowing won't make any difference to the way I supplement or train.

hunter164

I'm going to the doc tomorrow as I've been suffering chest pains so I'm expecting to be sent off for a serious of tests at Beaumont Hospital.

EileenG

With a bit of luck, it will just be DOMS from a heavy chest day, or a bit of indigestion.

hunter164

Eh I don't do weights and I've a history of heart problems in the family.I'm more worried about being told I can't do sports any more, more than anything else really.Though it could just be sports asthma or breathing problems as I'm growing.