Heart Rates and Health for Seniors

[Patrick007]

I am a Male, 78 years of age and considered myself in pretty good health but my left Ankle shows mild swelling at the end of the day.  My VA PA is all excited and has ordered an EKG with 30-day Blood Pressure and Pulse Monitoring and follow-up Echo-Cardiogram.  

My average BP was 115/70 w/pulse 76 over the 30 day period and my ankle swelling disappears overnight.  

The VA is well known for over-doing everything, which I can appreciate, but its very difficult to get information from them.  

My question is, do I really need these diagnotic exams....?

Thank you.....

[kenkeith]

Based on one leg's angle swelling would not require the tests you have listed.  It may be a good idea to have an EKG and BP measurements monitored. At the age of 78 there good be a heart problem without symptoms, but it would not be the ankle symptom. An echo can establish a basis for future health concerns.  It will provide heart chamber and wall dimension, heart valve integrity, heart pumping strength, etc.

I was few years younger than you and had symptoms of heart failure, and I was shocked to hear I had had a silent heart attack.  My first symptoms was a day or so with congested heart failure, and I had felt I was in pretty good health...felt good, etc.

Hope this helps.  Take care.