Doctor Freaked me out

[john666666]

I went to the doctor because I felt as if I bronchitis, which indeed I did and he put me on a Z pack. But when he was listening to my heart he asked me if I had any heart problems as a child or an heart murmur. He said he heard a third heart sound. I am 28 years old healthy never any health problems. He didnt ask any follow up questions and just said that when I see my primary care maybe I should get a ultrasound. Should I be worried?

[Mom2four85]

yes it will, what a great idea - start a thread and let's get some info about health care systems

[is_something_wrong]

Sorry, it was a bit off-topic. But it's really interesting to understand the US healthcare system, it will help me when answering questions.

[Mom2four85]

Is_something_wrong...wow that's great for healthcare though - at least it's paid and in emergencies hopefully things are somewhat covered. I wish the US would  fix our healthcare system; I know they're trying - but the prices and insurance is still outrageous...but that's politics which can't be discussed here heheheh

I wish we made $200k per year lol I'd had no problem paying the $352 a month for health coverage; plus all the other costs...it's rough paying my costs with middle income of about $40,000 combined. what stinks is I can't get disability because I lowered my hours to 10 hours per week at most - can't drive can't go to work...they don't care and no lawyer will take my case because I'm working p/t lol they told me I could get a taxi to work!

ugh; we better get back on the subject or one of our community leaders will banish us to the corner!

[is_something_wrong]

I just got health insurance, but it's really uncommon here, and it only gives me a guarantee to get surgery or other treatment within 14 days if needed. All major surgery and other health care is usually covered by public healthcare. There are private hospitals but they mostly do plastic surgery. We have cardiologists in the private healtcare who charges the amounts listed above. But we don't have EP doctors here, except the ones working in public hospitals, and there are really few of them.

If we need private health care we must pay for it. I'm somewhat lucky (my yearly income is approx. $200k) so it's no problem to pay a cardiologist $200-300 rather than waiting a year for my PCP to refer me. I once tried that, but after waiting some months I just said: never mind, I'll pay for it myself.

[Mom2four85]

is_something_wrong The nurse normally comes in, does the test then they tell me to wait for the doctor to see it and then I have to send in a written request for the results if I want a copy.

Every insurance company is different  here and most have several plans you choose from - so there really set cost like you've listed....is that with insurance that you pay those amounts?

I pay $352 monthly just for health insurance coverage, on top of the pro-rated amount I pay each doctor, specialist or test I have done.  My primary is $25 and an internist I don't know the cost because I haven't been to one.

John, do you have private insurance where you can get an EKG or Echocardiogram done? if not, check your local health department, Cleveland clinic or Mayo Clinic to see what type of financial programs they have to help with the costs to get a full workup done =)

[is_something_wrong]

Seems that actually visiting a doctor is cheaper in the US while testing is more expensive.

Norwegian charges are about as follows:
Public healthcare:
Appointment with PCP: $20
EKG, x-ray, CT, MR: $10-20
Echo, stresstest: $40
Appointment with internist, cardiologist, etc: $40

Problem is that it takes about half a year to get the mentioned examinations

Private healthcare:
Appointment with GP: $150
Appointment with cardiologist, internist, etc: $250
Stress test, echo: $200 or so

By the way: I've been unsure about this for a while: When you guys get an EKG registered,  is it just the nurse that performs it, gives you the print and tells you to do what you want with it, or does a doctor interpret it?

[Mom2four85]

You should def see a cardiologist to make sure nothing is going on and for your own peace of mind.  

My primary scared me to death back in June 2009 and said I had a murmur and he thought MAJOR valve damage and I would possibly need the valves replaced.

Luckily he sent me to a cardiologist the next week and that wasn't the case.  I had only mild valve damage in all the valves and none of the dr's I've seen have heard a murmur.

is-something_wrong - healthcare in the US is pricey :P my cardiologist charges $200 per visit (1 hour) and testing is ridiculous; my echo is $325 pro-rated and  Xrays for my spine was $3,000 pro-rated.

[is_something_wrong]

There are lots of heart sounds. A third heart sound may be what's considered a gallop sound, but I can't say this for sure. If that's so, it's a good idea to get an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography). In rare cases, bronchitis may affect the heart and that may actually cause third heart sounds (I think.. not really sure on this one).

An EKG is probably a good idea too. I can't believe they cost $200 to get interpreted, in my country, even in private health care, I pay $30 for them (to get the EKG and the intepretation). A cardiologist charges about $50. Public health care charges $10.

Anyway, it's not the intention to scare you, it's probably nothing, but just get the tests done so you can relax. Many of us have strange heart sounds without any heart problems.

[cindy707]

I had to laugh at Jerrys comment that you will probably be good another 50 years because he is probably right on the nose.  Over 40% of the entire population has some sort of heart murmur at some point in their life.  It can be a one time thing, it could be sustained, if the sun is shining it might happen, if it rains it might happen...who knows but i agree w. Jerry just ask your doc for a routine EKG to rule anything out...i would say no worries especially in the absence of symptoms but for peace of mind pay the 200.00 to your doc for the EKG

[Jerry_NJ]

Yea, been there done that... I think my "Murmur" was a leaky valve.   Anyway I remember being in the hospital at for a hemoglobin (red blood cell) problem, which was never resolved, it went away on its own.  Anyway, I was on a heart monitor the night I was in intensive care and the results raised some questions.  A cardiologist looked at the "tape" or whatever record they had and told me there were some irregularities in my trace, but it did not indicate any immediate action... I should "just remember" in case something comes up in the future.  I was in my late 40s when this happened.  

Then in my mid 50s I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation.. and a developing valve problem.  I'm not sure, but assume this is related to my earlier "warning">  In any case I do have heart problems, but too I am a senior citizen now and most of us as my age have health problems.

I tell you this just as an example that may relate.  Should you worry?  I don't think so but it could be a good idea to ask that you have a EKG on your regular physical exams.  At the age of 28 I didn't get a physical exam ofter.  I think I started doing that more when I turned 40, and then I was give an EKG as part of the exam.  Nothing ever came up for those EKG exams.  

Live a health life style:  what you eat, drink, and your exercise and I'd bet you're good for at least another 50 years.