Beware Cardiology Mills

My PCP diagnosed me with a Heart Murmor,  so I chose to go to an Orlando  Cardiologist to have it checked out.  It was a very busy office, probably 20 nurses and medical assistants . . one doctor.  He prescribed an echocardiogram.  I had it and never went back for the results.  After being turned down for life insruance, I went back to the office to find out why and found out I was diagnosed, from the echo, with an enlarged heart and pulmonary hypertension.  Nice of the office to let me know?  The nurse suggested a Beta Blocker.  Being mid-fifties, in great shape with no symptoms, that did not sound good to me so I demanded to see the doctor.  He eventually came in, told me that I need not go on Beta Blockers now, that we would see how I was doing six months from now, but he warned me about the possibility of SUDDEN DEATH with my condition.

So I decided to go for a second opinion at the **** in Weston, Florida.  That doctor too presecribed an echo, this time a Stress-Echo.  The procedure of taking the echo was far more detailed than in the first cardiologists office.  I passed the tests with flying colors, was told by the Doctor that my heart WAS NOT in the least enlarged and that I was in great shape.  I trust this guy.  He is highly credentialed and they obviously took the time to see if I had a problem.

The point is that we put our trust in doctors and all of this medical equipment, but if the doctors office is running a mill . . get you in and get you out, if his staff is not trained to properly either give a test or interpret the results, they can do far more harm than good.  Not only did I think I had a real issue but I almost was put on a drug with side effects that I did not need.

The point:  BE VERY CAREFUL OUT THERE.

[Occupant]

I think, you are absolutely right on with your remarks. However, in my case the cardiologist decided to take me off the beta blockers, so some good came out of it.